The Penan community leaders exchanging greetings with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg at his Hari Raya open house on Tuesday (Apr 1). - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Over 40 Penan community leaders made the long journey from Ulu Baram to the state capital to attend Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg's Hari Raya open house on Tuesday (April 1).
Besides sharing in the festive occasion, they expressed their community's aspirations for government assistance and development.
Pemanca Henesser Uning Bong said the group represented about 80 Penan villages in Baram.
"As community leaders, we will speak up for the needs and interests of the Penan because we know what is important to us.
"We want development and progress—roads, houses, schools, and clinics. When we have roads, it will be easy for us to send our children to school, go to clinics, and travel from our villages to Miri, Sibu, and Kuching," he said when met at the open house at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
Daud Sedin from Kampung Data Bila said the Penan leaders were happy to attend the open house and meet Abang Johari in person, adding that this was his first time in Kuching.
"We hope the Premier and state government will continue to assist us.
"We need the government to build schools, clinics, and roads to our villages in Ulu Baram," he said.
Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, who accompanied the Penan group, said they hoped to foster close ties with state leaders during the visit.
He said the Penans also wanted to deal directly with the state government instead of going through non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
"They don't want the NGOs to be their spokesmen. As community leaders, they want to speak for themselves and we must respect that," he said.
