State PKR: Taskforce panel must also embrace S’wak’s minorities

The taskforce to take care of the interests, especially the economic welfare of minority groups in the country, must also include the marginal ethnic groups of Sarawak.

PKR deputy chairperson Abdul Jalil Bujang in a statement today said enlisting the minority groups of the state together with those in Peninsular Malaysia into the task force which is headed by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will ensure that the state’s minorities will also be able to enjoy equal opportunities.

“It will help them realise their own specific aspirations in the current new verve, where a new Malaysia was born after the recently concluded general election.

“Priority should be given towards improving their welfare and allow them to upgrade their socio-economy and academic level, especially those in the rural areas,” said Abdul Jalil.

Mahathir had on May 17 said a special taskforce has been established to look into problems faced by minority groups in the country.

The setting up of this special taskforce is in line with realising pledges made by the Harapan coalition in its manifesto for the GE14.

Mahathir had said the task force will address issues faced by disadvantaged minority communities, especially Indians, Orang Asli as well as women and youth.

However, Abdul Jalil reiterates that such a task force should also include other minority ethnic groups in the country.

He cited the Melanau community, numbering about 137,000 people, as one of those minority groups which need attention by this soon-to-be established taskforce.

Although Sarawak has enjoyed rapid development, there are still those in the Melanau community who are listed as hardcore poor, he said.

“If you look at the Melanau settlements in places such as Bintulu, Mukah, Igan, Dalat, Balingian, Matu-Daro, there are still many of them who do not enjoy benefits of development in Sarawak.

“There are still houses that do not enjoy electricity, water and so on, and many do not have a stable income.

“Therefore, they deserve to be given attention by this special taskforce so that solutions can be found to improve their socio-economy,” Abdul Jalil added.

Sarawak has a population of more than 2.6 million, made up of some 26 different ethnic groups.

The non-Muslim indigenous communities are collectively called Dayaks.

The two biggest ethnic groups within the Dayak community are the Iban (also known as Sea Dayak), making up 30 percent of the population, and the Bidayuh. Others include the Kenyah, Kayan, Kedayan, Murut, Punan, Bisayah, Kelabit, Berawan and Penan.

The Dayaks who live in the interior of the state are sometimes referred to as Orang Ulu, or people from the interior.

Members of this group typically live in longhouses and practice shifting cultivation. They engage in fishing to supplement their diet if they live near a river.

Only a few hundred of the eastern Penan continue to live as a nomadic people of the rainforest. -Mkini