MIRI: Leaders get their teams moving, they energise and mobilise. They take people and organisations to places they have never before, disclosed Telang Usan Assemblyman Dennis Ngau. “Leadership is not a fad and the leadership challenge never goes away,” he said. “In uncertain and turbulent times accepting that challenge is the antidote to chaos, stagnation and disintegration. Times change, problem change, technologies change, and people change,” he added.
Dennis said this yesterday, in Kampung Long Bemang, when he accompanied Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas visiting the flood victims. During the visit, Uggah pledged to give the Minor Rural Project (MRP) totalling RM30,000 to Kampung Long Bemang. He said, leadership endures, teams, organisations and communities need people to step up and take charge.
“That is how I see and describe Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who has been assigned with important tasks in the state leadership by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg including heading the specially set-up committee to find answers and bring to conclusion the long issue on ‘Pemakai Menoa and Pulau Galau’,”he pointed out.
“Change is the province of leaders…It is the work of leaders to inspire people to do things differently, to struggle against uncertain odds, and to preserve towards a misery image of a better future. “Without exemplary leaders like Uggah, there would not be the extraordinary efforts necessary to solve existing problems, for example the Native Land matters and realised unimagined opportunities that come with the decision for all Native Land owners in the State,” he said.
“We have today at best only faint clues of what the future may hold but we are confident that without leadership the possibilities will neither be envisioned nor attained,” he said. “Our beloved State of Sarawak is blessed with leaders of such qualities since we gained our independence more than 60 years ago,” he said. Dennis Ngau was responding on Uggah action to sue Venon Kedit for calling him ‘a liar’ and ‘a traitor’ to the Dayaks.
“Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah is leader extraordinaire!…How many people in this land dare to take up the challenging task to lead a team in trying to find answers to one of the most sensitive issues of all times – land matter? He must be aware that, the path he took in leading the special team set up to find a long term and permanent answers will make him to step on other toes and possibly make him public enemy number one, to some of this land,” he stressed.
“As the results show, he is a fearless man. He doesn’t care what the opponent says, a small price he has to pay to ensure the natives of Sarawak secured their heritage – land! What is important to him is to carry the responsibility placed on his shoulder to best of his capability,” he said. Indeed Uggah led a team that transforms risk into rewards, separateness into solidarity and turns challenging opportunities into remarkable successes, Dennis said.
“I have known him (Uggah) since our time in State PBB Youth from 2002. He led the movement with the highest dedication, upheld honesty and had the country, state and in particular the Dayaks close to his heart. I am sure all the committee members and youths of the state at that time agree with me,” he said. Uggah has his vision and mission set clearly and I have learned a lot from him that makes me ready to serve in the capacity where I am today, Dennis said.
“Now that he is looking after a Ministry tasked primarily to develop the rural of Sarawak. I am happy to mention that Telang Usan, being a very rural constituency, has been visited by him several times in just a short time he assumed the post and like wise the constituency of Mulu and Marudi and all the other rural constituencies. “ He tries his utmost best not to turn down any invitation from us to visit us which enables him see for himself areas that need improvement or development,” he said.
“His work and commitment as the Ministry leader further testify to his all round commitment. My people of Telang Usan can testify what he has done to some longhouses in my constituency and I believe more to come,” said Dennis. “One observation I make is, since he took over the Ministry, unlike traditionally practised, Uggah way of working in an organisation is without walls, where everyone, regardless of level, routinely works together on all aspects of a client engagement. On his directive every one is treated with great respect. I notice there is a strong sense of collaboration and teamwork,” he said.
“Native Land Development in the state is one of his Ministry core responsibilities,” Dennis pointed out.
He said, despite acknowledging the sensitive issue related to land in the state, he (Uggah) took the challenge with the sole aim to ensure land owned by the natives of this land will continue to bring life to the people and tirelessly introducing modern farming for better yield to our people. “Being a Dayak himself born and cared in a Dayak longhouse, without doubt, native land matters are close to his heart. As a leader he wants the best for our native people,” he explained.
In the quest to find the best solution to the native land issue, I believed Uggah and his team have talked to men and women, young and old, representing just about every type of organisation there is, at all levels, in all functions from many different places around the state.
“He spends countless hours in discussions how to piece together all suggestions received to ensure a fair and productive conclusion. All appreciations must be accorded to The Chief Minister and Uggah and his team for bringing to a conclusion the issue, but with window of opportunity to discuss further how best native land could further be productive to the natives,” said Dennis.
Therefore, leadership is important within our state and country and we need more exemplary leaders and we need them more than ever. There is so much extraordinary work that needs to be done in our communities and state. We need leaders who can unite us and ignite us, Dennis added.
