Adenan wants new seat for Penans

CM says the Orang Ulu should have representatives in the state assembly.

MIRI: Adenan Satem said he is considering creating a constituency for the Penan people as part of an initiative to ensure the “Orang Ulu” are better represented.

The Sarawak Barisan Nasional chairman said apart from the Penans, he also wanted elected representatives from the Bisi, Kayan, Kenyah, Lun Bawang, Bisaya and Kelabit communities.

This is why, he explained, he had asked the Election Commission to consider creating more state seats.

Following a recent delineation exercise, Sarawak currently has 82 seats, an increase of 11 from the 71 it had in the 2011 state election.

The new seats are Batu Kitang, Stakan, Serembu, Bukit Semuja, Gedong, Kabong, Tellian, Bukit Goram, Samalaju, Murum and Mulu. The last two seats were created specially for the Kenyah and Kelabit communities respectively.

“We have added two more seats, especially for Orang Ulu. We created Mulu for Kelabits and if (BN candidate) Gerawat Gala wins, there will be a Kelabit in the state assembly.

“This is your opportunity to increase your voice in the state assembly as the Malays, Melanau, Chinese, Iban, Bidayuh and Senako have a ‘voice’ in the state assembly.

“We are working to create a seat for the Penans in the future,” he told about 2,000 Orang Ulu of various races for the Telang Usan, Mulu and Ba’kelalan state seats at Pullman Hotel here today.

Orang Ulu comprise more than 20 ethnic groups and make up 6% of Sarawak’s population.

Present at the event were Gerawat, Telang Usan BN candidate Dennis Ngau and Ba’kelalan candidate Willie Ngau.