Abdul Jalil Bujang
KUCHING: PKR Sarawak hopes the special taskforce to be established soon on minority communities in Malaysia, will not leave out the minority ethnic groups in Sarawak.
Its deputy chairman Abdul Jalil Bujang said this is to ensure these groups enjoy equal opportunities and realise their aspirations in this era of new Malaysia following the outcome of the recently concluded 14th General Election GE14).
“Priority should be given towards improving their welfare, and allow them to upgrade their socio-economy and academic level, especially those in the rural areas,” he said in a press statement today.
Abdul Jalil was commenting on the announcement made by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that a special taskforce would be established to look into problems faced by minority groups in the country.
At present, a taskfoce has been set up to oversee the welfare of the Indian community, women, youth and Orang Asli, which is chaired by Dr Mahathir.
The setting up of this special taskforce is in line with realising pledges made by Pakatan Harapan in its manifesto for the GE14, which it eventually won and now form the new federal government.
Abdul Jalil cited the Melanau community, numbering about 137,000 people, as one of those minority groups which needs attention by this soon-to-be established taskforce.
Although Sarawak has enjoyed rapid development, there are still those in the Melanau community who are categorized as hardcore poor.
“If you look at the Melanau settlements in places such as Bintulu, Mukah, Igan, Dalat, Balingian, Matu-Daro, there are still many of them who do not enjoy benefits of development in Sarawak. There are still houses that do not enjoy electricity, water and so on, and many do not have stable income.
“Therefore, they deserve to be given attention by this special taskforce so that solutions can be found to improve their socio-economy,” he said.