KAPIT: Close cooperation among longhouse residents is essential to ensure the smooth construction of new longhouses.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong said, without the residents’ cooperation and tolerance, the building process of the longhouses might encounter issues.
Ugak said this in a speech at the new site for Rumah Empangau longhouse at Nanga Setekam on April 14.
“The Longhouse Loan Scheme is evidence of the Sarawak government’s non-selective approach in helping its people,” Ugak added.
“For example, you have already received a long house loan of RM30,000 per door provided by the Sarawak Government through the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
“The government also continuously provides the best infrastructure for the people, especially in rural areas such as Baleh. The access road to Baleh Dam has connected the people in the area to the town centre,” he said.
Ugak also highlighted the plans of the Hulu Rajang Development Agency (URDA) to develop the economic potential of the village.
“Nanga Gaat is also planned to be developed as a small district that will become a local administrative hub later,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tuai Rumah Empangau Tedong said the new longhouse aims to accommodate more residents. It will have 24 doors and house around 128 civil servant residents working in Kapit and Sibu.
One of the residents of the new longhouse, school headmaster Aking Unyit, expressed his gratitude to the local representatives for facilitating the construction of the new longhouse.
