BINTULU: A gathering called ‘People’s Resurrection’ was organised by PKR Bintulu branch at Rumah Emperan Sungai Serakit in Sebauh Sub-District on Saturday.
Its vice president Datuk John Tenewi Nuek said the programme was to educate the people on their rights, particularly with respects to native customary rights (NCR) land.
He claimed that a similar programme held in Rumah Lipu Sungai Bawang Balingian earlier in the day had garnered a good response.
John said the level of response showed that PKR was gaining ground here, including among community leaders.
“This is what we want from the people … get to know the policy of PKR better as we serve the people with sincerity.”
On the party’s membership, he claimed that it had been able to attract many young people to sign up.
He attributed this achievement to the good cooperation and leadership of Paul Anyie Raja, who is said to be well-known here.
Paul, who was also present, expressed his regret over the government’s decision to impose a four-year limit on longhouse chiefs’ tenure as this showed that the government had meddled in the customs of the Ibans and other indigenous races.
“The government should respect the tradition of longhouse chiefs in the state as a leader in his longhouse without imposing limits.”