MIRI: The Sarawak government’s inclusive policies have bridged the rural-urban divide which includes bringing development to the minority community like the Penans.
“Continuous efforts in bringing development to the rural areas by the state government through Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) have been proven fruitful as the Penan community and other races are enjoying and taking part in development opportunities in the state,” Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said.
Addressing some 700 people who gathered at the ‘Merem Tipun Penan 2019’ hosted by the Sarawak Tipun Penan Development Association (Persatuan Pembangunan Tipun Penan Sarawak) at Eastwood Golf and Country Club here on Saturday night, Uggah opined that the success of the State government’s inclusive policies showed that the Penan community was never suppressed or neglected.
“Over the years, the Penan community has grown and developing well together with other races, adopting and embracing the development opportunities, such as venturing into oil palm planting,” he said.
Uggah also pointed out that it was a positive indicator of the success of the Sarawak government’s policies.
GPS, he added, has been committed to ensure that the state’s prosperity is shared among all the races in Sarawak, regardless of their beliefs.
“Who says the Penan community is not well-off? …not well developed? One of Penan’s paramount leaders, Temenggong Datuk Hasan Sui is one of the pioneers in oil palm planting,” Uggah pointed out.
“Unlike those ‘outsiders’ who only know how to talk, GPS has always been focusing on bringing development and taking care of the people’s well-being, unlike those coming from outside (Sarawak). Hence, be vigilant against these ‘outsiders’ as they intend to break our unity,” he cautioned.
Also present were State Legislative Assembly deputy speaker, Datuk Gerawat Gala, former deputy chief minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Utilities Minister Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Baram MP Anyi Ngau,Hulu Rejang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong,Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and Temenggong Datuk Hasan Sui.
At the event, Uggah and the other representatives (YBs) pledged a total of RM150,000 to the Sarawak Tipun Penan Development Association.
Uggah also presented education excellence awards to Penan students who excelled in their studies.
A total of 212 Penan students excelled in their studies this year with two presently doing their doctorate degree.
The association was established in 2008.
