Disclose draft findings on PMPG — NGO

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Baba Emperan

Semana Sawang

Clement Ughan

Steward Chagat Nyalu

MIRI: Sarawakians, especially the Dayaks, are pleased with the announcement by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas that he will present the findings of the Pemakai Menoa and Pulau Galau (PMPG) committee to Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg soon.

Uggah who is also the Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said this when officiating at the ‘Talian Tani’ programme for Marudi constituency in Beluru recently.

Without giving any specific date, Uggah said that he will brief the chief minister shortly, and that will be a step forward in handling issues concerning PMPG.

Pemansang Dayak (PD), a non-governmental organisation championing the rights of the Dayak community, has proposed that the draft findings of the PMPG committee be disclosed to Dayak NGOs and professionals before it is presented to the Chief Minister.

“It would be better if all Dayak NGOs and professionals have the flexibility to know and understand the draft made by the PMPG committee before it is presented to the Chief Minister.

“This is important as our hopes for Pemakai Menoa and Pulau Galau depend on that particular draft,” said PD state chairman Baba Emperan in a statement to the Borneo Post yesterday.

PD Julau branch chairman Semana Sawang also hoped that all issues concerning native customary right (NCR) lands can be resolved as soon as possible.

“On behalf of the people of Julau, we hope that our Chief Minister can resolve the NCR issues related to Pemakai Menoa and Pulau Galau as soon as possible because the Dayak people have been waiting too long,” he said.

Meanwhile, PD Bintulu chairman Clement Ughan said they are also concerned about the fate of the Dayak community who are facing problems concerning their NCR lands. He noted a case in Sungai Lengan, Sarikei where police reports were made against several companies which were said to be encroaching into NCR lands there.

Based on a report made by longhouse chief Egat Kudang, Clement said several companies have set up huts along with several machineries on the NCR land.

‘’We hope and pray that the police will immediately follow up on the reports made and take firm action against the perpetrators.

“The residents of Kampung Sungai Lengan have reason to fear this as they have been inhabiting and planting crops in the land even before they move into their present longhouse.

“We also hoped that he police can stop the encroachment activities in the area immediately to avoid confrontation between both concerned parties (Sungai Lengan villagers and the companies),” said Clement further.

PD youth leader Steward Chagat Nyalu echoed similar sentiment and urged the government to speed up the process of resolving NCR issues that have been plaguing the Dayak community for many years now.

“On behalf of Dayak youths, we really hope to be given a chance or space to participate in decisions concerning Pemakai Menoa and Pulau Galau issues.

“We are the future backbone of the country and we hope that the Chief Minister can provide an avenue for youths like us, as well as professionals, to participate in discussions on PMPG,” he said.

On another development, PD members expressed their pride in the establishment of Petros by Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg.

According to Baba, this will definitely create many job opportunities s for the people of Sarawak including members of the Dayak community.

“We in PD fees that the top positions in Petros should be given to multi-racial Sarawakians. We would also like to call all Dayaks to seize this career opportunity, so that they can be at par with other successful races in Malaysia,” he added.