MIRI: Telang Usan constituency experienced a sombre day on July 9 as two prominent local leaders, former senator Ding Seling and former pemanca Baya Ajeng (of Long Atip), passed away due to old age.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau expressed his grief, stating, “We have lost great leaders for our community.”
He highlighted the significant contributions made by both leaders to the Kayan-Kenyah community in Telang Usan during their early years.
“The late Ding Seling, prior to his involvement in politics in the early 1990s, had served in the education department.”
He described Ding as the pillar of strength for Telang Usan PBB, having served as chairman, ensuring the branch’s resilience and stability during that period.
Ding Seling, also the elder brother of Charles Balang Seling, the political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, held the position of Orang Ulu Ethnic Research Section head until his passing.The la
te Ding’s funeral is scheduled to take place on July 13 at 9am at BEM Kuching, followed by burial at 17th Mile, Siburan.
On the same day, another sad incident struck Telang Usan constituency when a fire engulfed a longhouse in Long Wat, Sungai Apoh, at 11.30pm, leaving 340 residents homeless.
Despite the devastating loss, Dennis expressed gratitude that no injuries were reported from the incident.
The longhouse that fell victim to the fire was the ancestral home of the late Dato Sri Balan Seling, the father-in-law of Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala.
The timing of these two unfortunate events has compounded the grief in Telang Usan, making this week an unforgettable and sorrowful period for the constituency, especially considering the ongoing floods affecting several low-lying areas like Kampung Long Bemang, where 530 residents from a 103-door longhouse have been impacted.
