Orang Ulu urged to play role in RECODA

Jabu (sitting) enjoying a traditional Kelabit song during the Irau Mekaa Ngadan ceremony of Balang Mudut title conferment.

By Norni Mahadi (Eastern Times,3 December 2007)

MIRI: Kelabit community in Bario highlands, Ba’kelalan and upstream Baram are urged to work closely with the State Government to make the soon-to-be implementated Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) a real success.
Speaking at the Rurum Kelabit Sarawak dinner at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club last night, Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu ak Numpang was optimistic that RECODA would bring positive impact to the State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) besides benefiting the people in terms of business and employment opportunities.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu stressed that RECODA was the State Government’s vision to further boost the industrial sector and thus bring the massive transformation to both urban and rural areas in Sarawak.
The comprehensive scheme under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP ) and 10th Malaysia Plan is to exploit the natural resources for the development of high-powered intensive projects including hydro-power and coal-powered plants.
In view of this, Jabu wanted the rural community especially those in the highlands to grab the opportunity so they wouldn’t be left behind from the mainstream development agenda.
“Despite lying at the very remote areas in the location map of Sarawak, the government is very committed to develop them into agropolis and eco-tourism centres. Such effort will add value to the land as well as uplift the living standard of the people in these very remote areas,” he remarked.
Development projects in rural areas will remain on the State Government’s main agenda to narrow the economic and social gap between urban and rural areas.
Commenting on the Kelabit achievement, Jabu said about 11 percent from a total of 6,000 people had been educated and were now holding important posts in both government and private sectors either in the country or overseas.
About 45 to 65 percent of the community have migrated to the urban areas for better employments.
The Deputy Chief Minister called on the professional people among the community to chip in some contribution to help the government to develop their home town with vibrant development activities.
“Use whatever skill and knowledge that you have to bring various progress to your hometown. Without your support, all the developments that are planned by the government will not be able to meet their objectives,” he said.
At the same time, he wanted the young generation of the Kelabit community to develop a visionary thinking and be competitive in the globalised development.
The young people should take the high achievement of managing director of MAS Datuk Seri Idris Jala as a fine example to explore greater achievement.
Later in the same function, Jabu has been conferred with the title “Balang Mudut” meaning “Father of Development” in the Kelabit dialect during the traditional ceremony dubbed Irau Mekaa Ngadan.
He also has announced a grant under Minor Rural Project (MRP) worth RM15,000 to the association while Ba’kelalan Assemblyman Nelson Balang Rining contributed another RM5,000.
Also present were Member of Parliament for Baram Dato’ Jacob Dungau Sagan, Telang Usan Assemblyman Lihan Jok, Lambir Assemblyman Aidan Wing, Kemena Assemblyman Dr Stephen Rundi Atom, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, Pemanca Henry Jala Temalai, Miri Resident Ose Murang and president of Rurum Kelabit Sarawak Gerawat Gala.