KUCHING: Transportation Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil urged land owners in the Mambong constituency to take up the various government land development programmes.
Jerip, who is also Mambong assemblyman said land owners in his constituency should grab the various land development programmes and projects planned by the state government under the Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Ministry.
He disclosed that three villages in his constituency, namely Kampung Git, Kampung Jambu and Kampung Annah Rais had agreed to take up coffee-planting projects initiated by the ministry and he hoped other villages in the constituency will follow suit.
“Let us make the whole of Puncak Borneo a coffee producing area,” he said at a pre-Gawai dinner of Segu Bunuk Penrissen Association in a restaurant at Siburan on Friday.
Jerip added that coffee is an easy crop to cultivate as it is free from diseases and does not need too much fertiliser. Besides it is in high demand and fetching a good price.
He also suggested that all Bidayuh clan associations to take the initiative to provide education incentives to students who excelled in their studies as well motivate other students.
“The amount of incentives may not necessarily big but the message that we want to send to our students is to motivate them to strive harder and excel in their studies for their own future,” Jerip said, adding that these associations can also raise money to help students going to colleges or universities.
“Our way of life has changed and as such we need the present generation to inform our younger generation to know and understand their origin and identity.
“Hence, it is good that every clan in the Bidayuh community has their own association where they can work together in various areas such as development, welfare, education, culture and heritage of our community,” Jerip said.
At the function Jerip also announced a RM20,000 grant for the Segu Bunuk Penrissen Association.
Member of Parliament for Puncak Borneo Willie Mongin who also spoke at the function said the Bidayuh community should put aside political differences for the benefit of the community.
“Let us put aside political differences so that we can move forward as a community to achieve progress,” he said, adding that the Bidayuhs must be united for the benefit of the community.
“We need to work together in our association and make it a catalyst for us to preserve our tradition, arts and culture,” he added.
Willie also advised the Bidayuh community to take good care of their health and not to indulge in heavy drinking of alcohol, adding that it is not wrong to drink but there is a limit to it.
At the function Segu Bunuk Penrissen Association also presented awards to a Bidayuh-Malaysian actor Zachery, popular Bidayuh singer, Hilex Kuyong and a dance group, Freaky 4 – all from Kampung Bunuk and Kampung Bratan.
