MIRI (March 17): The Penans of Data Bila in Ulu Baram will soon enjoy a more comfortable living environment once the longhouse project there reaches completion.
According to Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, this project signifies an agreement between the logging company operating in the area and the local Penan leaders, ensuring that the development would benefit the indigenous community.
“This is the first longhouse built by the company as per the agreement with the Penan leaders.
“The new longhouse will improve living conditions of the local residents, making life more comfortable for them,” said the Mulu assemblyman when officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony for the site of the new longhouse in Data Bila, last Sunday.
Gerawat pointed out that the logging licence was approved by the government and had received the consent from the community leaders, who signed an agreement under the condition that the logging company would build a new longhouse and open agricultural land for the villagers, and assist the people in the logging area.
“The company was granted licences to carry out logging activities in the Data Bila area and Penan villages in the upper Selaan region including Long Ajeng, Long Murung, Long Lamam, Ba Muboi, Sebatu, Data Bila, Long Sait, Long Kerong, Long Spigen, Pengaran Iman, Pengaran Kalian, Long Benali, Long Kepang, Long Main and Long Lellang.
“I have also been informed that the logging company will also construct a church building.
“Once the new longhouse is built, the company will open agricultural land for the residents of Data Bila to help develop the local economy and provide a sustainable livelihood. It will be easier for us to farm, grow crops and rear chickens and pigs, rather than relying on hunting in the forest for wild boars, deer or mousedeer.
“The new longhouse project and the agricultural development area will be established by the company for all villages within the logging area once the logging roads reach these villages,” said the deputy minister, pointing out that this was among the ways the government was helping and supporting the Penan community in the logging areas.
Additionally, Gerawat said the government had plans to build roads to connect every village across Baram, including those from the main route to Long Banga, and from Bario to Data Bila, Pengaran Iman and Pengaran Kalian, extending to Long Lellang, Long Main, Long Kepang, Ba Keramuh, and Long Sabai.
“Roads to other villages, such as Ba Ajang, Long Lamam and Long Murung will also be built,” he added.
“Once the company has opened these roads, the government will take over and upgrade them, just as it is currently upgrading the road to Ba Muboi.”
Among those present at the event were Bintulu Resident and also the president of the Penan Development Association, Datu Nyurak Keti, and Telang Usan District officer Ezra Uda.
-Agency
