KUCHING: The state government has done quite a lot for the Penan community in Sarawak, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.
He cited Tabung Amanah Bakun as an example, saying it has allocations for the education of Penan children.
The fund provides assistance to qualified students from the Belaga district to further their studies to public and private institutes of higher learning in the country.
Besides that, it also provides assistance to primary and secondary school students in the district of Belaga.
Masing added there are already several Penan resettlements with modern houses and basic infrastructure.
He said in each of these resettlement schemes a big area has been given for them to continue with their traditional lifestyles.
He said this to New Sarawak Tribune when asked on his reaction to a suggestion that the state government should provide a special allocation in the state budget to assist the Penan community in terms of infrastructure and economic development to uplift the community’s standard of living.
“I am sure the Penans residing in Ulu Baram have also been assisted,” said Masing who also holds the portfolio of Infrastructure and Ports Development Minister.
