KAPIT: Minister of Utilities Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi Utom pointed out that two key factors that made rural Dayaks lag behind were lack of education and poverty.
He stated this at a ‘Leaders and the People’ gathering held at Rumah Budit Along, Nana Mekey Ili, Merit, Batang Rajang here on Monday afternoon (17 August).
“In order to improve our economic and social status, we have to go back to the basic principle. Children must be sent to school to attain quality education. Without education, one wouldn’t be able to be head of a department or a professional.
“No matter how much money one owns, it can be depleted. However, knowledge and skills are lifelong and key to success that can uplift our social status,” stressed Rundi.
Added the minister,“We can’t depend on others. We have to look after ourselves. We must have the pride and dignity.
“In the Sarawak Cabinet, Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is also the Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing who is the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development and myself as the Minister of Utilities, are Dayaks. The government gives us the agriculture, infrastructure and utilities ministries. This is our (Dayak) opportunity to excel. We must grip the opportunities given to improve ourselves,” he pointed out.
Earlier upon his arrival, Rundi inspected the on-going installation of the Solar Energy project to power three longhouses, namely Rumah Lasang Asun (6 doors), Rumah Asan Kek (20 doors) and Rumah Budit Along (24 doors).
At the function, he announced a Minor Rural Project allocation of RM10,000 to the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) of Rumah Budit, RM5,000 to the Women Bureau of Rumah Budit and RM5,000 to the JKKK of Rumah Asan respectively.
Present were the Assistant Minister of Utilities (Rural Electricity Supply) Datuk Liwan Lagang, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, political secretary to the Chief Minister Nicholas Kudi Jantai, Kapit Resident Nyurak Keti, Kapit District Officer Cerisologo Sabut, vice president of SEB Dr Chen Shiun, ASP Anthony Apui, Temenggong Wilfred Billy Panyau, Penghulu Wong Kie Ing and Penghulu Madang Jelani.
