Penguang (front row, fourth left) joins local officers and local JKKK members in a group photo taken after the dialogue at Marudi Civic Centre.
MARUDI: The Malays here must remain united as they strive to become a progressive community.
Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil says this is vital in assisting the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led Sarawak government to fight for and safeguard Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“The Malays in Marudi must set aside all differences, be united under one voice and support the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who has allocated funds to finance many infrastructure and development projects in Marudi.
“Let us work together in safeguarding our rights as the people of Sarawak, as enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution and the Malaysian Agreement 1963, which have been – either intentionally or inadvertently – eroded over the years,” he said at the opening of a dialogue with the local Malay community in Marudi Civic Centre recently.
Penguang, who is Marudi assemblyman, listed the Marudi-Miri Road, Marudi Waterfront and its riverwall development along the Baram River, Marudi Bridge and Marudi-Long Terawan Road among the key infrastructure projects here financed by the Sarawak government, in addition to other minor rural projects (MRPs) including those slated for schools and religious institutions.
He also assured his Malay constituents that he would strive to be fair, transparent and all-listening to all regardless of racial, religious and social backgrounds.
“As people’s representatives, we must listen to the ‘rakyat’ (people) and implement projects and programmes that they want – not the other way around,” said Penguang, adding that today’s political game has changed tremendously. due to the influences of technologies, the ordinary citizens having become better-informed with the far-reaching impact of social media.
Meanwhile, the dialogue gathered about 200 people comprising the village chiefs and also the representatives of village security and development committees (JKKKs) of Kampung Narum, Kampung Pemindahan, Kampung Dato Abang Galau, Kampung Dagang, Kampung Padang Kerbau, Kampung Benawa and Kampung Melayu Beluru.
The session served as a platform for the constituents to voice out their grievances and issues impacting the Malay community specifically, and other rural communities across this district in general.
The issues included those regarding native customary rights (NCR) land, infrastructure and development projects, socio-economy and also future plans for Marudi.
The dialogue also aimed to enhance networking among the participants.
It is learnt that there have been similar dialogues held with the local Iban and Chinese communities, aimed at obtaining feedback from the ground.
Later, Penguang handed out MRP allocations to Masjid As-Salam worth RM20,000, JKKK Kampung Narum (RM20,000), JKKK Kampung Pemindahan (RM20,000), JKKK Kampung Dagang (RM10,000), JKKK Kampung Padang Kerbau (RM10,000), JKKK Kampung Benawa (RM10,000), JKKK Kampung Melayu Beluru (RM15,000) and Marudi District Council (RM20,000).