Seated, from second left: Dennis, Antonio, Ipoi, Kennedy and other executive committee members during the meeting.
MIRI: The Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak, Malaysia (Forum) has urged the state government to speed up the appointment of community leaders for the Orang Ulu.
Its president Antonio Kahti Galis made the call during Forum’s executive committee meeting at a hotel here on Saturday.
“There are sizeable numbers of Orang Ulu community residing in towns and cities throughout the state.
“Forum, being the umbrella body of Orang Ulu community in the state, urges the state government to speed up the creation and appointment of Orang Ulu community leaders throughout the state.”
Antonio, on behalf of Forum, thanked Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for allocating a site here for building the federation’s headquarters.
He said a committee headed by himself has been set up to work on the development of the project which would be implemented as soon as possible.
Vice-president of the federation Dennis Ngau, who is also Telang Usan assemblyman and president of Sarawak Kayan Association, commended Forum for helping the rural community in getting various assistances from the government.
Saturday’s meeting was to discuss preparations for Forum’s biennial general meeting (BGM) which will be held on March 31 at Dynasty Hotel.
More than 100 delegates and observers from nine associations under the federation are expected to attend the BGM.
The nine associations are Sarawak Kayan Association, Sarawak Bisaya Association, Sarawak National Kenyah Association, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, Petipun Penan
Sarawak, Sarawak Lakiput Association, Sarawak Berawen Association, Sarawak Saban Association and Sarawak Lun Bawang Association.
Also present in the meeting were Forum’s deputy president Ipoi Datan and Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chuk Pai Ugon, who is also Forum vice-president.