Don’t politicise hardship, Dayaks told

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MELUAN: Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom yesterday advised Dayaks, particularly Ibans, not to turn their hardship into a political issue.

SAY CHEESE: Jabu, a photography and videography enthusiast, taking a photograph of (from left) Wong Judat, Mawan, Entri, Nansian and Dr Rundi upon their arrival at Nanga Kemalih. — Photo by Churchill Edward

Mawan, who is also Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president, said hardship and joy are part of the cycle of life and almost everybody experiences them through the course of his or her life.

“If hardship is politicised by people, then it would hinder the government’s development plans for their areas,” said the Pakan assemblyman, countering charges by certain quarters that the government was not caring enough.

Attending a ‘Leaders-Meet-the-People’ session at Rh Japar, Nanga Kemalih in Ulu Entabai near here, Mawan assured that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government would not sideline anyone, even those in the remotest areas like Kemalih.

However, it is inevitable that areas in the interior would experience slow  development and progress as far as infrastructures are concerned, he pointed out.

“It is not the fault of our government when our forefathers wanted to settle down in the upper reaches of Sarawak for some good reason in their time when they can in fact settle down in coastal and downriver areas,” he said when explaining that some remote areas were easier to develop.

“You and I will get headaches if we politicise development. There are many factors the government has to consider when distributing development fund,” he added.

Mawan however conceded that priority should be given to set up schools and clinics and that clean water and environment are crucial for the people.

Undue delay of such projects is unacceptable and will reflect badly on the government, he said.

In relation with this, he said a clinic for Nanga Kemalih is under study at divisional (Sarikei) level as there is an allocation for it.

The 2,000 to 3,000 residents in Kemalih lack a clinic and have to go to Nanga Entaih for medicine, treatment and deliveries (birth).

The residents also want a road linking Kemalih and Entaih – a distance of 12 to 13km, as they have to travel in their 4WDs for more than two hours on a logging road to get to Pakan town.

On a more positive note, Mawan said five cabinet members, including Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang were in  Kemalih to see for themselves what is lacking and what can be done for the betterment of the residents.

The others are Assistant Minister of Environment Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie (Tasik Biru assemblyman and SPDP senior vice president); Assistant Minister of Water Supply Sylvester Entri Muran (Marudi assemblyman and SPDP vice president) and Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Stephen Rundi Utom (Kemena assemblyman and PBB secretary-general.) Meluan assemblyman Wong Judat was also present.

“They do not come here today for nothing.

They have brought their cameras and their eyes are sharp,” said Mawan.

Meanwhile, Jabu, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, urged the Ibans to cooperate with the government to ensure uninterrupted development in their area. Agricultural development in particular would help to boost their income and socio-economic status, said Jabu, who is also Rural Development Minister.

He also urged the Ibans to change their political mindset, pointing out that Iban politics used to be chaotic but most of the community now treasured cooperation and goodwill.

For instance, top leaders of SPDP are now sharing information and working closely even though a few months ago they were at odds with each other, Jabu, who is Layar assemblyman and PBB deputy president, said.

Earlier, he released fish fries, comprising  12,000 lampan jawa, 200 empurau and 1,000 catfish or baong fish, into Sungai Kemalih.