By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 21: Knowing that it is not enough to rely on farming and cash crops, deputy longhouse chief Jabu Luyau has called for government assistance to help the Rumah Guyu villagers better supplement their income.
He cited that modern fish cage farming and tourism could help them to get extra income, but they need assistance from the government.
“Since we are a riverine community, we could utilise the river and offer our tribal way of life to the world, but I want the government to help.
“We have a programme from the agriculture fishery department, and a few of us are rearing fish in a cage. The government can help us with what sort of equipment and better technique we could use to maximise economic return from the river.
“There is a good financial reward in it, so this is one way to help us to generate better income,” he said in an interview with DayakDaily.
Jabu pointed out that since the longhouse has opened itself to tourism, he wanted their villagers to have more knowledge and confidence in administering their hospitality.
“Maybe the government can train them to become hosts, how to handle food and beverages, and proper housekeeping. If we could mix traditional and modern hospitality, it would be ideal.
“In the end, it could help us boost our social confidence and get extra income for the village,” he said.
A villager, Garit Umin, 56, said he got involved in fish cage farming in October 2022.
“I do earn (income) from the fish cage farming activities. But if possible, we want more assistance from the government and help our village so that everybody gets extra income,” he said.
Another villager, 38-year-old housewife Serena Guyang, believed that education would be the key for the village’s younger generation and her children.
“I want to be optimistic, but how are we going to support our family and give a better education to our children if we don’t have extra income?”
“If we get some training to sustain our current livelihood, be it in farming, fishing or even tourism, then do help us. We want to improve.
“For now, the government or maybe even non-governmental organisations (NGOs) could help us, especially in our village women’s bureau organisation,” she said.
Rumah Guyu is a riverine longhouse comprised of 37 doors farming community with 161 residents.
The longhouse is along the Engkari River in Lubok Antu and is a 15-minute boat ride from the Nanga Sapaya longhouse, accessible by the timber road or an hour boat ride from the Batang Ai hydro dam main jetty. — DayakDaily
