Gerawat (fourth right) receives a memento from Antonio while others look on.
MIRI: Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon was elected the new president of Federation of Orang Ulu Association Malaysia (Forum) at its 7th Biennial Delegates Conference (BDC) held at Dynasty Hotel yesterday.
Forum has nine associations under its wing; Persatuan Kayan Sarawak, Persatuan Kebangsaan Kenyah Sarawak, Persatuan Lun Bawang Sarawak, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak (RKS), Persatuan Pembangunan Tipun Penan Sarawak, Persatuan Berawan Sarawak, Persatuan Saban Sarawak, Persatuan Bisaya Sarawak and Persatuan Lakiput Sarawak.
The conference also saw Telang Usan assemblylman Dennis Ngau elected deputy president, Catherine Awing Wan, Dr Philip Raja, Serina Hasan Sui, Robin Lusong and Joseph Blandor the vice presidents.
Dick Bala was elected secretary-general while Councillor Romulus Charles Agan his assistant.
Chukpai takes over from Datu Antonio Kahti Galis who has been holding the post for two terms.
Deputy speaker of Sarawak Legislative Assembly, who is also Forum advisor Datuk Gerawat Gala praised Antonio for doing a good job during his tenure in bringing up significant development for Forum.
“Under him, Forum has secured a piece of land for the construction of an Orang Ulu Cultural Centre, grant amounting to RM25 million for building an Orang Ulu Cultural Centre, RM10 million for setting up Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI), and securing a 30 per cent equity in a quarry company operating in Long Lama.
“Forum has also been
giving study incentives to Orang Ulu students because there is room to enhance Forum’s role in education,” he said.
He added that students in rural areas were mostly at the disadvantage if no effort was being done by Forum in helping to provide information on education such as sponsorships or scholarships available out there.
Antonio also spoke at the function.
He said it was time for a new president to take over, another person from a different sub-group under the Forum umbrella.
The first Forum persident since the association was set up in 2008 was former Senator Datuk Lihan Jok, second Dato Gerawat Gala, and third Antonio.