By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Jan 22: Iban community leaders have requested for more penghulus to be appointed due to an increase in population.
Iban paramount chief Temenggong Datuk Bernard Aggan made the request known to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas when paying a courtesy call on him here yesterday.
With Aggan were Pemanca John Tambi, seven penghulus and three tuai rumahs.
The visit was to update Uggah on the latest happenings and issues facing the community under their care.
Aggan said the Iban settlement areas also hoped the state government could allocate more funds for minor development projects.
There is also a need for a new cemetery.
Meanwhile, Aggan told Uggah that all the community leaders with him fully support Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as the state government prioritised the rakyat’s interests and well-being in its agenda.
They also pledged their full support for Uggah as a very senior representative of the state government.
Uggah, in his response, said such visit and interactions should be held more often for the community’s benefit. He advised the community leaders to help organise meaningful activities such as tuition classes and others that could generate extra income and to gel ties.
On their request for a new cemetery, he said they could submit their application to Unifor (Unit for other Religions), which is tasked to help in such matters, too.
Dr Richard Rapu, a political secretary to the Chief Minister, was among those present during the courtesy call. — DayakDaily
