LAST OF A THREE-PART SERIES
After more than 200 years old, despite much development surrounding Kampung Datu Lama and Kampung Hilir, the villages seem to have remained largely unchanged.
The houses were built haphazardly, most of them being wooden structures, with some in a rather dilapidated state, posing a danger in the event of future calamities, and also contributing to social problems within the community.
In hindsight, it is one of the reasons why the Sarawak government, under the stewardship of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg plans to redevelop Kampung Datu Lama and Kampung Hilir.
According to the Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, the state government views this development as highly important for the communities in Kampung Datu Lama, Kampung Hilir and Kampung Baru.
Annuar, who is also the assemblyman for Nangka constituency, will oversee the development of the Kampung Datu Lama, Kampung Hilir and Kampung Baru.
He said the redevelopment involved the building of over 700 houses in Kemunyang and more than 120 units in Kampung Baru. 170 units have already been completed in Kemunyang while 104 units are ready for occupation in Kampung Baru.
“So, the purpose and aim of this redevelopment is to restructure these ‘heritage villages’ and make them more organised, orderly and comfortable. It is not about evicting or forcing the village community to move elsewhere. That is a misconception.
“The real concept is restructuring the villages so they look more vibrant, but the most important thing is that the dignity of this Malay Melanau villages is preserved,” he said in an interview recently.
Dr Annuar stressed that preserving dignity and culture was not just about maintaining the villages but also about creating better living conditions.
Currently, the villages are in disarray and cause many social problems.
“This is why the government has taken this approach, and this project is fully under the government’s control. We have a procedure or system in place to make it easier for the people to acquire new, more comfortable homes.
“The government does not require the residents to incur any debts (through the development). The compensation they receive can be used to repay the cost of the new homes, and in most cases, the compensation exceed what is needed to be paid for their new homes,” he explained.
He added that the redevelopment would not require the residents to be placed elsewhere but it was for them to be relocated to Kampung Datuk Baru, except for those with very small lots that could not be redeveloped.
“Kampung Datu Baru is just about one kilometre away, and most importantly, the additional families, second and third generations, who are already married but still living with their parents or in-laws or are renting in uncomfortable conditions, will now have the opportunity to own homes in Rumah Spektra Permata (RSP) Kemuyang,” he stated.
Collectively, residents of Kampung Datu and Kampung Hilir who were victims of the 2013 devastating fire expressed their gratitude to the Sarawak government for this excellent initiative.
“Although the Sarawak government requested us to move from Kampung Datu and Kampung Hilir for the redevelopment, they have considered our wellbeing. They provided housing and compensation for us.
“With the compensation given, not only can we buy a new house (in the affordable housing of Kampung Datu Baru), but we also have funds leftover after paying for the house, which we can use for other purposes,” said Dahari Paie, one of the residents.
Dahari’s wife, Kartini Osman, said they both lived on the ground floor of their family’s wooden house, as the upper floor was occupied by her sibling.
“If flood or high tide occurs, our house is affected, so we have to take shelter at my sibling’s place upstairs. With this new house, our life will be more secure,” she said.
For Rabiah Kaeh, getting a new house in Kampung Datu Baru was like a dream come true, as her current house was very old.
“If I need to buy a new house, I certainly couldn’t afford it. With the compensation given, now I can afford to buy this house, and with the surplus from the compensation, I’ve even managed to buy another house for my child, who has a heart condition,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sri Diah Haryanti said the new house in Kampung Datu Baru was bigger and more beautiful than their current home.
“It is also further from the river, reducing the risk of flooding. I am very grateful to the Sarawak government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for this initiative,” she relayed.
Despite the need to relocate residents from Kampung Hilir and Kampung Datu Lama for redevelopment, the Sarawak government has constantly ensured the well-being of the residents throughout the process.
The Sarawak government’s redevelopment plan for Kampung Hilir and Kampung Datu Lama is aimed at modernising the villages while preserving the cultural heritage and uniqueness of the traditional Malay Melanau villages.
The transformation of the villages will be the catalyst for future development in the area.
