Anyi (fifth left) with Elizabeth (third left), Lenjau (fourth left), Anthony (sixth left), other community leaders and JaLLa’ executive committee members.
MIRI: A new community-based, development-focused sub-regional committee has been formed for the benefit of residents in Apoh and Long Lama Hilir under Baram parliamentary constituency.
The Apoh-Long Lama Committee (JaLLa’) will cover the areas of Long Bedian, Long Atip, Long Watt and Long Bemang at Sungai Apoh, as well as Long Ikang, Logan Sibong, Long Banyok, Sungai Dua, Kampung Uma Akeh/Long Puak at Long Lama Hilir.
The ketua kaums of these nine longhouses will automatically form the main committee which in turn, will be supported by an executive committee, a working committee and a panel of patrons consisting of the elected people’s representatives of the areas.
According to a JaLLa’ spokesman, the committee aspires to serve as a platform to articulate, harmonise and present the development hopes and plans for the Apoh-Long Lama region to the government, in compliance with its guiding charter.
“This initiative is seen as timely as it is in tandem with the state and federal governments’ development programmes to bring socio-economic transformation into the rural areas,” he told thesundaypost.
The spokesman also said JaLLa’ would serve as a bridge between the Apoh-Long Lama folk and the government.
“Such platform would highlight common development issues and needs such as poverty eradication, telecommunications, agriculture and land development, education, rural infrastructure and social uplifting programes.
Baram MP Anyi Ngau launched JaLLa’ on Dec 3 at Kampung Uma Akeh in Baram, where it was witnessed by local community leaders Temenggong Elizabeth Deng, Penghulu Lenjau Kuleh and Kampung Uma Akeh headman TK Anthony Ngau.
In his speech, Anyi applauded the committee for taking the bold, proactive step towards facilitating systematic, people-centric development programmes being planned for the area.
“In order to be an effective non-governmental organisation, JaLLa’ needs to work closely with the government of the day and to fully understand the government’s development policies and plans,” he said.
Anyi also advised the committee to work together with other regional bodies in Baram such as the Mid-Baram Development Committee and Kedaya Telang Usan Development Committee.
At the function, Anyi approved a government grant of RM5,000 for JaLLa’ to run its activities and another RM5,000 to Kampung Uma Akeh/Long Puak development and security committee (JKKK).