The new Forum executive committee members.
MIRI: The proposed headquarters building and cultural centre of the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak Malaysia (Forum) will be a key platform for the development of the Orang Ulu.
Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala disclosed that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had approved the construction of the building on a five-acre land at Permyjaya along Kuala Baram.
“The conceptual plan for the centre has been prepared by a consultant, approved by Forum executive committee and submitted to the Land and Survey (Department),” he said during Forum fifth biennial delegates conference (BDC) held at a hotel here recently.
According to Gerawat, the next step would be to get the consultant to prepare detailed plans and drawings for submission to State Planning Authority (SPA) for approval, and as also to raise funds for the project.
He said to ease its financial constraint, the federation had requested a grant of RM10 million for its building fund from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. He urged the federation committee to pursue the development and also continue efforts to raise funds for the project, which would be built in phases according to availability of funds.
“Over the short period since its inception, Forum has earned the trust and confidence of the government leaders as well as industry captains. You may have noticed that the current four of our six Orang Ulu assemblymen including former assemblymen are Forum executive committee members – Senator Datuk Lihan Jok, Dennis Ngau (Telang Usan), Keneddy Chukpai Ugon (Murum) and myself, “ said Gerawat .
Hoping that the new leadership would continue to inspire and lead the community to greater heights and achievement, Gerawat stressed that it was vital to continue having the trust of the government leaders as well as that of the community.
Forum is the umbrella organisation for the Orang Ulu community in the country.
“All the nine Orang Ulu ethnic associations who are currently members of Forum have been actively pursuing their own goals and objectives and at the same time, working very closely together as member organisations under Forum to pursue the broader objectives and interests of the whole community.”
Gerawat said as Orang Ulu made up only six per cent of Sarawak’s total population, it was essential for the community to act and speak as one to be heard and noticed through Forum. He added that since its formation eight years ago, Forum had been serving as a link between the community and the government, as well as with other like-minded non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Later at the BDC, Gerawat announced grants of RM20,000 each from himself, Dennis and Keneddy.
The meeting also saw the election of Miri Resident Anthonio Khati Galis as Forum new president and Epoi Datan as deputy president, while Dennis, Temenggong Datuk Hassan Sui, Dr Philip Raja, Catherine Awing and Dominic Lusat Sagan were appointed vice-presidents.
Dick Bala and Romulus Charles Agan were elected secretary-general and deputy secretary-general, respectively, with Daniel Jok and Dionnysius Richard Elai as respective treasurer and assistant treasurer, David Belulok as publicity officer and Jok Eng Jok as assistant publicity officer.
The committee members comprised Keneddy Chuk, Dato Isaac Lugun, Peter Sawal, Peru Balan Ding, Usat Bilong, Philip Ngo, Serina Datuk Hassan, Julia Juwen, Micheal Nyagu Sabang and Annia Selalang.