LONG IKANG, BARAM: Women folks in Long Ikang here were given RM10,000 worth of minor rural project (MRP) grant for the improvement of a building housing a kitchen in focus and to purchase some utensils.
The grant was made by Telang Usan Assemblyman Dennis Ngau when declaring open the Long Ikang Women Kitchen, here recently.
In his speech launching Dennis said women had been recognised as a key factor in helping and supporting longhouse leadership in the quest to develop their longhouse.
When women in any community uphold unity and decide to work together voluntarily they have the power to move their community for the betterment of everyone, the people’s representative pointed out.
“This is clearly the case portrayed by you women folks of Long Ikang,” remarked Dennis at the event.
He said despite Long Ikang being made up of two major ethnic groups, namely Kenyah and Kayan, they have no problem in getting themselves together to do something for their longhouse.
“Every human being who thinks positively will agree that your effort to build and have this women activity centre in your longhouse is a noble, beneficial and humble effort.
“But of course there will always be a small group who only knows and continues to find fault and does nothing but uses the comfort of their homes somewhere to pour out negativity through social media and so forth. Please don’t get disheartening but continue to stay positive and do good for our fellow kampung folks, “ he said.
Dennis said the fine example shown by the Long Ikang Women folks in setting up their kitchen through a mutual assist or gotong-royong basis should be emulated by other longhouses in Telang Usan.
