KAPIT : State Assemblyman for N61 Pelagus, Wilson Nyabong Ijang commended the pre-graduate students from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for their community based programme which he said could provide an opportunity for them to understand better the local cultures while at the same time to provide community service to the local community and to further enhance closer rapport between the students and the local community.
“This is an opportunity for you to know and understand the Iban culture at the longhouse better, besides from what you have heard or been told,” said Nyabong. He said this while officiating at Bakti siswa Kembara Bumi Kenyalang, a community based programme organised by Persatuan Mahasiswa Mahasiswi Sarawak (PEMASRA) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) held at Rumah Beraoh anak Tuba, Tembawai Sadong, Sungai Sut on Wednesday evening.
Nyabong was happy to note that during their five days community programme held from 17-23 January, the students organised various activities tailored to meet the local needs, including gotong royong, health screening, school projects at SK Nanga Antaroh and SMK Kapit 2 that benefited the local people.
In response to the request made by the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) of Rumah Beraoh for the replacement of the ageing gravity feed water supply and housing aid project for the construction of the longhouse kitchen area , Nyabong pledged that their request will be included under the 2018 projects.
At the func t ion Nyabong announced grants to several bodies include the Women Bureaus of Rumah Ubu and Rumah Beraoh at Sungai Sut, OUNA Kapit, Parents and Teachers Association of SK Nanga Antaroh, Kelab Gagung Sarawak, SIDS Ulu Yong and Persatuan Mahasiswa Mahasiswi Sarawak (PEMASRA) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Meanwhile the UKM students’ leader, Marconi Malang disclosed that the community programme was one of their annual activities held at various divisions in the state each year where their last activity last year was at Sri Aman. Present at the function were political secretary to the Chief Minister Sarawak, Nicholas Kudi Jantai, heads of the various government agencies, community leaders led by Penghulu Undie Bajai and Penghulu Daniel Dian, SIDS Ulu Yong members, PRS party members, Kelab Gagung Sarawak members and some 300 longhouse folks and invited guests.
