By DayakDaily Team
BARAM, Oct 19: A church deeply cherished by the Ngorek community in Long Banyok, Baram, has been safeguarded by a riverbank protection wall that helps prevent erosion from threatening the building.
Gereja Yesus Juruselamat Long Banyok is an important place of worship and a symbol of the community’s heritage, with the threat of riverbank erosion putting the church at risk of collapsing into the Baram River.
The protection wall is among six development projects worth more than RM4 million completed in the village, which residents celebrated at a thanksgiving ceremony on Oct 17.
The other projects are a steel bridge across Sungai Lian, the extension of 24-hour electricity supply to all households, the provision of fire extinguishers and community rubbish bins, and the installation of an “I LOVE LONG BANYOK” landmark.
Temenggong Elizabeth Deng, who officiated at the ceremony on behalf of Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau, said the Sarawak government remained committed to bringing basic infrastructure to rural communities, including Baram.
“I would like to congratulate Dato Dennis Ngau, village chief Vinsien Gau Jalong and the entire JKKK Long Banyok for their efforts to develop Long Banyok. Continue working for the well-being and progress of the people,” she said in a statement.
The steel bridge provides a safer crossing for residents, schoolchildren and farmers, particularly during the rainy season when rising water levels can make river crossings difficult. It also facilitates the transportation of agricultural produce and daily necessities.
With 24-hour electricity now available to all households, students can study at night, while families can use electrical appliances more conveniently and residents can operate small businesses.
The fire extinguishers and community rubbish bins are intended to improve village safety, cleanliness and waste management.
Meanwhile, village chief Vinsien, speaking on behalf of the residents, thanked Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak-led Sarawak government for continuing to support development in the village.
He also credited Dennis with helping secure development projects for Long Banyok, saying many applications submitted during his tenure as village chief had been approved.
Vinsien said two additional projects had been approved and were being implemented — a kitchen for the Long Banyok Women’s Bureau, funded with RM43,000 from Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), and improvements to the Awa Ayak Long Banyok ruai, allocated RM100,000.
Three more projects under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) have also been approved for implementation in 2027.
They comprise a concrete road from Sungai Takong to the end of the village near the church, another concrete road leading to the Long Banyok Multipurpose Hall and its surrounding area, and a guesthouse to help residents market their agricultural produce and fishery products. — DayakDaily
