By D’Drift Team
SUNGAI ASAP, July 9: The Penan community may stage a peaceful protest against the Sarawak government for stopping food aid, failing to provide 14 hectares (ha) of cultivated land with commercial crops promised to them and delaying the upgrading of access roads leading to their villages unless something is done to rectify the situation.
When the Penan agreed to be relocated to Metalum and Tegulang, it was decided that the Sarawak government would provide them food aid for five years. Within the five years, the government will prepare 14ha of land cultivated with commercial crops to be handed over to each family.
“However, after five years, two years ago, just before the pandemic, food aid had stopped, but the government did not hand over any cultivated land to the Penan.
“I had sought clarification in the DUN (Sarawak Legislative Assembly) regarding the matter and was informed that the government will not continue with the food aid.
“I was very disappointed because the government failed to give them the 14ha land planted with commercial cash crop as promised. Since that is the case, the government should continue with the food aid,” Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon told D’Drift yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Penan are also disappointed in the delay in upgrading access roads to Tegulang and Metalum.
Chukpai said before the change of government in 2018, the federal government had agreed to allocate RM61 million to upgrade the 9-km Tegulang Road and RM120 million for the 18-km Metalum Road.
Following the change of government, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government decided to cancel the two projects.
“It was unfortunate because these two main roads which lead to the Penan settlements are in terrible condition. Therefore, it is difficult to move around and even more difficult for children to go to school,” said Chukpai.
Due to the urgency of the matter, the Sarawak government agreed to upgrade the roads under the Ulu Rajang Development Authority (Urda).
Under Phase 1, RM20 million has been allocated for Metalum and RM18 million for Tegulang. Both projects have been ongoing.
“We have been very patient, but patience may run out. The Penan planned to hold a demonstration on June 28 to show their frustration. However, I managed to stop them for the time being. But, if the government still can’t solve the issues, I can’t stop them,” said Chukpai.
He said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, after coming back to power, had decided to re-instate the road upgrading projects, and Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR), on the other hand, will also be tendering Phase 2 of the Urda upgrading projects.
“All these are just temporary measures to stop the Penan from holding peaceful picketing. Whatever the government promises, the government of the day must look into them seriously. If whatever promised is not materialised, the Penan will hold a demonstration to protest,” said Chukpai.
He said while the governments were ironing out details of the upgrading projects, Sarawak Energy was supposed to maintain the two roads.
“I hope Sarawak Energy will do as agreed for this community who has been displaced and relocated. They had sacrificed themselves for the benefit of others. Their sacrifices should be rewarded.
“For example, the Tegulang Road, even though it is only 9km, takes two hours to reach; one can just imagine how bad the road is,” said Chukpai. — DayakDaily
