TATAU: Every newly built longhouse should be equipped with safety features, said Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Sarawak Bumiputera Law and Customs) Datuk John Sikie Tayai.
He said this while officiating at a ngentak Rumah (traditional housewarming ritual) ceremony for the new 29-door Rumah Tedung longhouse at KM3.5 Jalan Sangan Merit.
Also present were Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) deputy secretary-general Senator Rita Sarimah Insol, political secretary to the chief minister Edwin Banta, and the tuai rumah Tedung Jambu.
“Although it (safety features) requires higher costs, it will slow down the spread of fire,” said Sikie in a statement issued on Monday.
Residents who want to build a new longhouse can get a housing loan from Housing Development Corporation (HDC). The loan amount is RM30,000 per door and the form is available at the Tatau District Office.
Sikie informed that the project to tar the road entrance to Rumah Tedung, including the road in front of the house, has been approved and will be implemented in the near future with a cost of RM160,000.
He also encouraged the residents to plant crops as a means to generate income.
“Plant crops that have high demand such as chilli and terung Dayak (Dayak eggplant). Such crops do not require large tracts of land.
“Oil palm cultivation is also one of the economic resources of the rural community. For example, Rumah Tedung harvesters who plant oil palm trees with 400 trees can produce a yield of seven to eight tonnes per month,” he added.
In another development, Sikie announced the Sarawak House Repair for the Poor Programme (PPRMS) worth RM2,500 per door that will benefit the residents of Rumah Tedung.
