KUCHING: Tanjung Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu hoped that the government would approve both land and financial allocation for the setting up of the Selako Cultural Centre in Sematan, preferably in Pueh.
She said Lundu and Sematan are home to about 9,000 Selako or Selakau, a sub-ethnic of the Bidayuh community.
“In my constituency, Selako settlements are in Pueh, Sebat and Siru numbering about 2,000. There are of course more in the Opar constituency.
“Selako is a minority group and they also contribute to nation-building.
“A majority of them are farmers while some are in the civil service, uniformed and armed service and quite a number doing small businesses and also in the private sector,” she said when debating the State Budget 2019 during the DUN sitting yesterday.
She also said some Selako youths are also working in cities and towns with some in the Klang Valley and also in Johor.
“I, for one would like to see that the unique culture and traditions of the Selako people be fully made known.
“Some of us may not know the famous ‘Wek Jongan’ song and dance, the unique Pueh longhouse at the foot of the scenic Gunung Pueh and of course the unique food of the Selako people,” Jamilah said.
Hence, Jamilah said the Selako Cultural Centre is in recognition of the Selakau people in her constituency.
“This centre can help to promote and preserve the language, culture and traditions as well as document the rich history of the Selako people.
“I believe this initiative would benefit not only the Selako people but also all Sarawakians and Malaysians in general.
“My office will offer full assistance so that this initiative comes to fruition,” she, the wife of former chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, said.
