By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Aug 4:The Sarawak government via inclusive policies has always wanted the people of this state to enjoy steady development and improvement, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The Penan commnunity is for sure not excluded, he assured.
“We want to ensure all ethnic communities (enjoy) the fruit of development, prosperity, and stability and harmony of Sarawak,” he emphasised.
Addressing nearly 700 people gathered at the ‘Merem Tipun Penan 2019′ event hosted by the Sarawak Tipun Penan Development Association (Persatuan Pembangunan Tipun Penan Sarawak) on Saturday night at Eastwood Golf and Country Club here, Uggah said that the success of the state’s inclusive policies shows that the Penan community has never been surpressed nor neglected.
“Over the years, the Penan community has grown and developed well together with other races, adopting and embracing the development opportunities, such as venturing into oil palm planting” he said, adding that they have also done well in the oil palm industry.
Uggah pointed out, that this is a positive indicator of the sucess of the Sarawak government’s policies.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), he added, is committed to ensuring that the state’s prosperity is shared amongst all races in Sarawak.
“Who’s to say, the Penan are not well off? Not well developed? One of the Penans’ paramount leaders, Temenggong Datuk Hasan Sui is one of the earlier pioneers in oil palm planting,” Uggah said.
“GPS has been always focussed on bringing development and taking care of the people’s wellbeing, unlike those coming from outside (Sarawak); hence, be vigilant with those 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; Minister of Utilities Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and Hasan.
At the event, Uggah and other elected representatives pledged a total of RM150,000 to the Sarawak Tipun Penan Development Association.
Uggah also expressed his pride over the achievement of Penan children in their studies.
This year (2019), a total of 212 Penan children excelled in their studies, with two currently pursuing PhDs.
The association was established in 2008. — DayakDaily
