Nyabong (standing front, eighth left) joins the UKM undergraduates in a photo-call at Rumah Beraoh in Sungai Sut.
KAPIT: Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang has commended the undergraduates from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for their community-based programme here.
Such programme, according to him, provides opportunities for undergraduates to better understand the local culture and at the same time, they are able to serve the community anf foster closer rapport with the local folk.
“I am honoured to officiate at this good and meaningful programme organised by UKM undergraduates, where you can interact with the people of Sarawak and know more about their cultures, especially the longhouse hospitality of the Ibans. This is an opportunity to experience the Iban culture first-hand,” he said at the ‘Baktisiswa Kembara Bumi Kenyalang’ – a community-based programme run by Sarawak Undergraduates Association (Pemasra) of UKM –at Rumah Beraoh Anak Tuba, Tembawai Sadong, Sungai Sut on Wednesday.
Nyabong was happy to note that during the five-day programme which commenced on Jan 17, the students had a packed schedule including a ‘gotong-royong’ (work party), health screening, as well as special projects at SK Nanga Antaroh and SMK Kapit 2.
To the request made by Rumah Beraoh security and development committee (JKKK) for the replacement of the ageing gravity feed water system and also assistance for the construction of the longhouse kitchen area, Nyabong assured them that that their request would be included under projects for 2018.
Later, Nyabong announced grants to several local organisations including the women’s bureaus of Rumah Ubu and Rumah Beraoh at Sungai Sut, the Kapit branch of Orang Ulu National Association (OUNA), parent-teacher association (PTA) of SK Nanga Antaroh, Kelab Gagung Sarawak, Ulu Yong branch of Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) and also UKM Pemasra.
Meanwhile, UKM undergraduates leader Marconi Malang said their community programme is an activity held at various divisions across the state each year.