On maiden visit to Sabah, Waytha listens to kampung poor

Rungus community members ask unity minister for simple, practical things: more kindergartens, a public toilet, a workshop kitchen.

Senator P Waythamoorthy, minister for national unity, poses for a photograph with the Rungus community in Kampung Lompozou.

PETALING JAYA: While it’s normal for a minister to take centre stage during an official visit to a state, P Waythamoorthy thought otherwise.

As minister in charge of national unity and social wellbeing, he decided to listen to what the Rungus community said instead.

And that they did, listing down “simple, but practical” things: more kindergartens, a public toilet, a display area for tourist who visit the workshop; a small kitchen for the women to cook simple meals.

After the event, Waythamoorthy said: “It is heart-wrenching to see some of the structures of their homes here were made from whatever recycled building materials from old houses. Even some of the workshop’s roofs where the women carry out their handicraft activities are from recycled corrugated zinc sheets.”

The visit to Kampung Lompozou, in Matunggong, Sabah, was organised by the National Unity and Integration Department of Sabah and the village Rukun Tetangga unit. Kg Lompozou is located some 155 km from Kota Kinabalu

Waythamoorthy speaks to a woman selling handicrafts.

The Rungus community is one of the most traditional minority ethnic groups in Sabah.

Waythamoorthy praised the community for wanting to preserve their language and customs.

He also said the community raised the issue of the cost of living which is higher than those living in the urban areas. “The cost to transport basic food items such as oil, potatoes and onions into the interiors is higher, causing even a RM2 packet of cooking oil to be sold for RM6 to RM7.” -FMT