KUCHING: Twelve Kuching Iban community leaders have pledged their support for the state Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
Led by paramount chief Temenggong Datuk Bernard Aggan, the community leaders said the reason for their support was because the state government prioritised the people’s interests and well-being.
They paid a courtesy call on Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
The community leaders also pledged their full support to Uggah as the community’s most senior representative in the government and as the Modernisation Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister.
Aggan said the visit was to brief Uggah on the current situation and issues faced by the Ibans here.
He said with their increasing population, they hoped more Penghulu posts could be created for them, and the various Iban villages also hoped the state government could allocate some funds for their minor development projects.
Another issue discussed was the need for a new cemetery.
Aggan also informed Uggah of the community’s plan for a pre-Gawai Dayak gathering this year.
In response, Uggah said such a visit and interaction should be held more often for the community’s benefits.
He advised them to organise meaningful activities such as tuition classes and those that could generate extra income or those that could further strengthen their unity and ties.
On an unrelated issue, he told them to submit their application for the proposed cemetery to Unifor (Unit for Other Religions) which is tasked to help in such a matter.
A political secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Richard Rapu was among those present.
