Penans told to emulate Orang Ulu communities in academic field

MARUDI: Members of the Penan community have been encouraged to follow the example of other Orang Ulu communities such as the Kayan, Kenyah, and Kelabit by improving their standard of living through education.

Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the opposition and certain non-governmental organisations wanted the Penan to remain backward by continuing to live in the jungle without education.

“But the BN (Barisan Nasional) government wants the Penan to move forward,” he said when opening the YB Dennis Ngau and Temenggong Datuk Hassan Sui Football Challenge Trophy at SK Long Kevok in Apoh on Wednesday.

“Only the Barisan Nasional can help and give assistance to the Penan, it is not the opposition and not NGOs who have provided any project to the Penan community but only the Barisan Nasional.”

Dennis added that the Penan community has changed a lot compared to 40 years ago as there are now over 20 tertiary graduates from the community.

The competition was jointly organised by the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Penan Apoh/Patah Youth and Long Kevok Youth Group.

For the women’s section the top three teams were Long Kevok A, Long Kevok B and Long Kevok C.

Long Karangan FC won the men’s section followed by Tajem Senuai FC and Long Kevok A.