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Bakun Dam A Harbinger Of Better Days For Sungai Asap Folks (2007-12-10)
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December 10, 2007 10:52 AM
It is 6.30am on an exceptionally cold and misty morning in the Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme, about 30 kilometers from the site of biggest hydroelectric dam in Southeast Asia, the Bakun Dam.Retired barter trader Bungan Abok, 83, and his family are among the 101 families staying at Uma Belor, one of the 15 modern longhouses constructed at Sungai Asap scheme. The other schemes are at Penyuan and Koyan.About 12 years ago, on mornings like this, Bungan would feel nervous realizing the fact there would be many children on the treacherous journey to school by boat along the Balui River from his former Longhouse in Long Sah A.Bungan and the rest then had every reason to worry as the boats carrying their children had to travel through the torrent while avoiding timber debris, semi submerged and submerged boulders and one or two rapid along the way.Today, the settlers who were once skeptical over their relocation from their ancestral land to make way for the RM8 billion dam have undergone a remarkable transformation.REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATIONPresently 10,000 people comprising of 1,693 families representing five main ethnic groups - the Kenyah, Kayan, Lahanan, Ukit and Penan - are residing in the three schemes.Generations of settlers depended on the Balui River as their route to the outside world and most settlers owned longboats.Today, on the contrary, most do not own longboats that were once the most prized possession for the riverine communities.With the compensation money from their displacement, they bought four-wheel drives or the very least, a Kancil automobile or a motorcycle that now serves as their favourite mode of transport.The children today ride on four-wheel drives to schools and a rough estimate puts the number of four-wheel drives at 150 in the schemes.They now enjoy treated water and 24-hour power supply. Refrigerators, washing machines or the Astro satellite television, once the privilege of town folks is now ubiquitous here. Schools, churches, community halls, a health centre and modern retail shops are all accessible within minutes.SOME STILL MISS THE GOOD OLD DAYSAsap community leader Penghulu Saging Bit, 50, related that the older folks do get nostalgic on their good old days and their regular "Kuman Bahek" (picnics by the river).The Balui provides them with fish like the "Empurau", (a fresh water carp) while in the vast jungle they used to hunt the "Payau" (Sambar deer) and the "Baboi" (wild boar).However, the new life at the schemes has its own joys that some won't even dream of going back."Accessibility is our greatest pleasure here. We can travel just about anytime, anywhere and at a lower cost. In the old days, it was not only expensive but dangerous especially with the notorious Murum and the Pelagus rapids."Previously, it used to be a daunting task each time we had to send some sick relatives or pregnant women suffering from pre-natal complications to the nearest clinic in Belaga, about 40 kilometers downstream, especially at night," he said.EDUCATION AND MORE GRADUATESPenghulu Saging stays at the Uma Belor longhouse. Of the 720 registered dwellers, only about 200 are still staying there. The rest are making a living either in Miri, Kuching, Sibu, Kapit and even in Kuala Lumpur.This shows employment opportunities are limited but Penghulu Saging is confident all that will change when the Bakun Dam is ready."Let us be realistic. I do not think they will want to earn only meagre wages as plantation workers or as farmers here," he said.Then again, farming land is fast becoming scarce with huge tracts in the vicinity being allocated to big companies for oil palm and timber plantations.He believes the youths in the settlement will have the best education. As a matter of fact, his longhouse's vision is to produce at least a graduate from every family by 2020.This is not a far-fetched dream as Uma Belor has produced 80 graduates, the biggest number in the whole of Belaga District.They are professionals in the oil and gas industry, commercial banks, lecturers and civil servants, and successful businessmen all over the nation or overseas."Our hopes are that our children will be holding important positions in the Bakun management," he added.GOOD POTENTIAL OF EARNING TOURISTS DOLLARLiving near the Bakun Dam, Penghulu Saging expects the settlers to earn the tourists dollar when the dam is ready.People will be curious to visit it, given its reputations for its sheer size, height and the controversies. It will flood an area of 69,500 hectares, the size of Singapore.The Bakun Dam when completed would be the second highest CFRD (concrete face rock fill dam) in the world at 205 metres and is expected to be operational by 2010 to generate 2,400 mega watts of green power."We are thinking of doing homestays, rearing fish in cages in the dam and sell our handicrafts."Despite staying in modern longhouses, we still hold strongly to our traditions and culture," he says.He says each of the five communities have their own unique dances, costumes, music, food, handicraft, which they are ready to share with the world.Even their cemeteries that feature elaborate and colourful burial huts for the "Maren" (aristocrats) are a sight to behold.Meanwhile, the government, in its bid to sustain the settlers, has allocated a sum of RM10 million under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to spur pepper cultivation through collective efforts.Even the reclusive Penan minority are trying their hands in pepper cultivation, a clear indication that the Bakun Dam is also slowly changing their nomadic lifestyle.-- BERNAMA
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News
Bakun Dam A Harbinger Of Better Days For Sungai Asap Folks (2007-12-10)
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
December 10, 2007 10:52 AM
It is 6.30am on an exceptionally cold and misty morning in the Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme, about 30 kilometers from the site of biggest hydroelectric dam in Southeast Asia, the Bakun Dam.Retired barter trader Bungan Abok, 83, and his family are among the 101 families staying at Uma Belor, one of the 15 modern longhouses constructed at Sungai Asap scheme. The other schemes are at Penyuan and Koyan.About 12 years ago, on mornings like this, Bungan would feel nervous realizing the fact there would be many children on the treacherous journey to school by boat along the Balui River from his former Longhouse in Long Sah A.Bungan and the rest then had every reason to worry as the boats carrying their children had to travel through the torrent while avoiding timber debris, semi submerged and submerged boulders and one or two rapid along the way.Today, the settlers who were once skeptical over their relocation from their ancestral land to make way for the RM8 billion dam have undergone a remarkable transformation.REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATIONPresently 10,000 people comprising of 1,693 families representing five main ethnic groups - the Kenyah, Kayan, Lahanan, Ukit and Penan - are residing in the three schemes.Generations of settlers depended on the Balui River as their route to the outside world and most settlers owned longboats.Today, on the contrary, most do not own longboats that were once the most prized possession for the riverine communities.With the compensation money from their displacement, they bought four-wheel drives or the very least, a Kancil automobile or a motorcycle that now serves as their favourite mode of transport.The children today ride on four-wheel drives to schools and a rough estimate puts the number of four-wheel drives at 150 in the schemes.They now enjoy treated water and 24-hour power supply. Refrigerators, washing machines or the Astro satellite television, once the privilege of town folks is now ubiquitous here. Schools, churches, community halls, a health centre and modern retail shops are all accessible within minutes.SOME STILL MISS THE GOOD OLD DAYSAsap community leader Penghulu Saging Bit, 50, related that the older folks do get nostalgic on their good old days and their regular "Kuman Bahek" (picnics by the river).The Balui provides them with fish like the "Empurau", (a fresh water carp) while in the vast jungle they used to hunt the "Payau" (Sambar deer) and the "Baboi" (wild boar).However, the new life at the schemes has its own joys that some won't even dream of going back."Accessibility is our greatest pleasure here. We can travel just about anytime, anywhere and at a lower cost. In the old days, it was not only expensive but dangerous especially with the notorious Murum and the Pelagus rapids."Previously, it used to be a daunting task each time we had to send some sick relatives or pregnant women suffering from pre-natal complications to the nearest clinic in Belaga, about 40 kilometers downstream, especially at night," he said.EDUCATION AND MORE GRADUATESPenghulu Saging stays at the Uma Belor longhouse. Of the 720 registered dwellers, only about 200 are still staying there. The rest are making a living either in Miri, Kuching, Sibu, Kapit and even in Kuala Lumpur.This shows employment opportunities are limited but Penghulu Saging is confident all that will change when the Bakun Dam is ready."Let us be realistic. I do not think they will want to earn only meagre wages as plantation workers or as farmers here," he said.Then again, farming land is fast becoming scarce with huge tracts in the vicinity being allocated to big companies for oil palm and timber plantations.He believes the youths in the settlement will have the best education. As a matter of fact, his longhouse's vision is to produce at least a graduate from every family by 2020.This is not a far-fetched dream as Uma Belor has produced 80 graduates, the biggest number in the whole of Belaga District.They are professionals in the oil and gas industry, commercial banks, lecturers and civil servants, and successful businessmen all over the nation or overseas."Our hopes are that our children will be holding important positions in the Bakun management," he added.GOOD POTENTIAL OF EARNING TOURISTS DOLLARLiving near the Bakun Dam, Penghulu Saging expects the settlers to earn the tourists dollar when the dam is ready.People will be curious to visit it, given its reputations for its sheer size, height and the controversies. It will flood an area of 69,500 hectares, the size of Singapore.The Bakun Dam when completed would be the second highest CFRD (concrete face rock fill dam) in the world at 205 metres and is expected to be operational by 2010 to generate 2,400 mega watts of green power."We are thinking of doing homestays, rearing fish in cages in the dam and sell our handicrafts."Despite staying in modern longhouses, we still hold strongly to our traditions and culture," he says.He says each of the five communities have their own unique dances, costumes, music, food, handicraft, which they are ready to share with the world.Even their cemeteries that feature elaborate and colourful burial huts for the "Maren" (aristocrats) are a sight to behold.Meanwhile, the government, in its bid to sustain the settlers, has allocated a sum of RM10 million under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to spur pepper cultivation through collective efforts.Even the reclusive Penan minority are trying their hands in pepper cultivation, a clear indication that the Bakun Dam is also slowly changing their nomadic lifestyle.-- BERNAMA
Lawatan Ke Julau
Uma Belor in Borneo Post
I was browsing Borneo Post online this morning. I found this article about my longhouse. Dated December 2nd, 2007.
Set target to produce more graduates By Gaing Kunding
Salang says longhouse chiefs should work systematically to achieve the aim to produce at least a graduate per family
SIBU: Iban longhouse chiefs should set a target of their own on the number of graduates and professionals their longhouse can produce by the year 2020.
In making the call yesterday, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Joseph Salang said after setting the target, they should work systematically towards achieving the aim, consistent with the community’s aspiration to produce at least a graduate per family.
Genta (third left) presenting a memento to Ding while Salang (fourth left), Ludan (fifth left) and others look on.
Salang was speaking at a ceremony to welcome the village security and development committee (JKKK) members of Uma Belun, a Kayan longhouse in Sungai Asap in Belaga who visited Rumah Genta Sabut, Nanga Bilat at Km17.5 Jalan Julau-Entabai, about one-and-a half hours’ drive from here.
“All longhouses should have their own yardstick consistent with the aspiration of our community and leaders to have at least a graduate per family by the year 2020.
“We should therefore plan, organise, evaluate periodically and work systematically towards achieving this objective at our own longhouse.
Salang said they could start with children who were in Primary 4 and above by nurturing and guiding them in the right direction and by providing a conducive learning environment at home.
“This can lead us to achieve our target or even surpass it,” the deputy minister said, adding that the effort called for great patience and perseverance on the part of parents, teachers and the students themselves.
He said to become a successful and developed community in all aspects, they needed to take their children’s education seriously.
In his speech, the leader of the visitors Ellison Ludan Muyan said the 105-door Uma Belun had set a target to produce at least 80 graduates by 2020.
“Part of our programme to realise this goal is by coming up with a uniform time table for children to do their revision and study at home.
“During that period TVs and radios will not be switched on in the entire longhouse,” said Ludan, a lecturer with Curtin University of Technology Miri.
Ludan who hails from Sungai Ngemah, Kanowit is married to a woman from Uma Belun.
A total of 35 JKKK members of Uma Belun, including their chief Maren Uma Ding Ajang visited the 14-door longhouse.
They were welcomed by Genta and his longhouse JKKK members.
More than 23 longhouse chiefs from nearby areas as well as several Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Julau branch leaders were also present.
The objective of the goodwill visit, among other things, was to foster closer co-operation between the two communities.
I was browsing Borneo Post online this morning. I found this article about my longhouse. Dated December 2nd, 2007.
Set target to produce more graduates By Gaing Kunding
Salang says longhouse chiefs should work systematically to achieve the aim to produce at least a graduate per family
SIBU: Iban longhouse chiefs should set a target of their own on the number of graduates and professionals their longhouse can produce by the year 2020.
In making the call yesterday, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Joseph Salang said after setting the target, they should work systematically towards achieving the aim, consistent with the community’s aspiration to produce at least a graduate per family.
Genta (third left) presenting a memento to Ding while Salang (fourth left), Ludan (fifth left) and others look on.
Salang was speaking at a ceremony to welcome the village security and development committee (JKKK) members of Uma Belun, a Kayan longhouse in Sungai Asap in Belaga who visited Rumah Genta Sabut, Nanga Bilat at Km17.5 Jalan Julau-Entabai, about one-and-a half hours’ drive from here.
“All longhouses should have their own yardstick consistent with the aspiration of our community and leaders to have at least a graduate per family by the year 2020.
“We should therefore plan, organise, evaluate periodically and work systematically towards achieving this objective at our own longhouse.
Salang said they could start with children who were in Primary 4 and above by nurturing and guiding them in the right direction and by providing a conducive learning environment at home.
“This can lead us to achieve our target or even surpass it,” the deputy minister said, adding that the effort called for great patience and perseverance on the part of parents, teachers and the students themselves.
He said to become a successful and developed community in all aspects, they needed to take their children’s education seriously.
In his speech, the leader of the visitors Ellison Ludan Muyan said the 105-door Uma Belun had set a target to produce at least 80 graduates by 2020.
“Part of our programme to realise this goal is by coming up with a uniform time table for children to do their revision and study at home.
“During that period TVs and radios will not be switched on in the entire longhouse,” said Ludan, a lecturer with Curtin University of Technology Miri.
Ludan who hails from Sungai Ngemah, Kanowit is married to a woman from Uma Belun.
A total of 35 JKKK members of Uma Belun, including their chief Maren Uma Ding Ajang visited the 14-door longhouse.
They were welcomed by Genta and his longhouse JKKK members.
More than 23 longhouse chiefs from nearby areas as well as several Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Julau branch leaders were also present.
The objective of the goodwill visit, among other things, was to foster closer co-operation between the two communities.
Done or Not Done Yet?
Sungai Asap folk urge govt to repair road
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 13/05/2008 - 10:29.
in
Bakun
In Malaysia
infrastructure
sungai asap
Sibu - Residents from 15 longhouses in the Sungai Asap resettlement area near Bakun are appealing to the relevant authority to repair and maintain the Bintulu-Sungai Asap Road.
Speaking on their behalf, Danny Bungan, welfare chairman of the village security and development committee (JKKK) of Rumah Belor said many stretches along the road were now riddled with potholes and in deplorable state.
“The road has not been maintained for a long time,” he said.
Danny added to make matters worse, the settlers numbering about 10,000 share the road with trailers and giant timber lorries belonging to companies operating in the area.
“Those of us driving in smaller cars really feel intimidated by these lorries. We are wondering whether these lorries should be allowed to share the road as we feel, they should for the safety of the public, use alternative roads,” he said.
Danny said many requests for repair of the road had been made to the government but he regretted so far nothing much had been done.
He said it was extremely dangerous to use the road at night especially when it rained.
A number of accidents had happened when drivers trying to avoid the potholes, braked their vehicles and skidded due to the slippery or uneven surfaces.
“We really hope the government can do something about the road as soon as possible as Gawai Dayak holidays are approaching and traffic along this road will increase,” he pointed out.
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 13/05/2008 - 10:29.
in
Bakun
In Malaysia
infrastructure
sungai asap
Sibu - Residents from 15 longhouses in the Sungai Asap resettlement area near Bakun are appealing to the relevant authority to repair and maintain the Bintulu-Sungai Asap Road.
Speaking on their behalf, Danny Bungan, welfare chairman of the village security and development committee (JKKK) of Rumah Belor said many stretches along the road were now riddled with potholes and in deplorable state.
“The road has not been maintained for a long time,” he said.
Danny added to make matters worse, the settlers numbering about 10,000 share the road with trailers and giant timber lorries belonging to companies operating in the area.
“Those of us driving in smaller cars really feel intimidated by these lorries. We are wondering whether these lorries should be allowed to share the road as we feel, they should for the safety of the public, use alternative roads,” he said.
Danny said many requests for repair of the road had been made to the government but he regretted so far nothing much had been done.
He said it was extremely dangerous to use the road at night especially when it rained.
A number of accidents had happened when drivers trying to avoid the potholes, braked their vehicles and skidded due to the slippery or uneven surfaces.
“We really hope the government can do something about the road as soon as possible as Gawai Dayak holidays are approaching and traffic along this road will increase,” he pointed out.
Dah Sedia Untuk Bertandang ke Belaga
KAPIT: Cabaran Hutan Hujan Belaga Siri Kedua 2008 anjuran bersama Pejabat Daerah Belaga dan Majlis Daerah Kapit (MDK) akan berlangsung pada 26 Julai depan di Giam Pasang, Sungai Belaga.Bercakap kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat kedua jawatankuasa induk penganjur di Bilik Mesyuarat Pejabat Daerah Belaga baru-baru ini, Pegawai Daerah Belaga Sirai Daha berkata beberapa aktiviti sampingan akan diadakan bagi memeriahkan lagi program tersebut.“Antara aktiviti yang diadakan ialah Pesta Ria (yang bermula dari 23 Julai), senamrobik beramai-ramai, persembahan Pentas Rakyat, Ratu Cabaran Hutan Hujan 2008 dan Sukan Air (Regata),” ujarnya sambil menambah, cabaran itu bertujuan menarik lebih ramai pelancong tempatan dan luar berkunjung ke Belaga.Menurut Sirai lagi, cabaran meredah hutan tabal akan bermula dari Giam Pasang melalui tebingan Sungai Belaga, Giam Erik dan Giam Pading sebelum berpatah balik ke Giam Pasang menempuhi perjalanan dianggarkan antara tiga dan empat jam.Cabaran tersebut dibahagikan kepada dua kategori iaitu Lelaki dan Wanita Terbuka. Tarikh tutup penyertaan akan ditentukan kemudian, manakala setiap penyertaan dikenakan bayaran yuran sebanyak RM50.Keterangan lanjut boleh diperolehi dengan menghubungi Setiausaha Penganjur, SAO Sami Siba di Pejabat Daerah Belaga menerusi talian 086-461339 atau Penolong Setiausahanya, Anna Anddress Emau (086-461334, 0194862446) di Pejabat MDK Cawangan Belaga.Johan bagi kedua-dua kategori lelaki dan wanita akan menerima hadiah wang tunai sebanyak RM1,400 serta piala, naib johan RM1,000 serta piala dan ketiga RM700 serta piala. Empat hadiah saguhati keempat hingga kelapan ialah RM200 serta piala. Jumlah keseluruhan hadiah pertandingan kekal RM10,200.
Satu Harapan Satu Tujuan Demi Kemajuan dan Kemakmuran
BELAGA: Sebuah pusat internet akan ditubuhkan untuk penduduk Sungai Asap apabila dewan serbaguna siap pada September ini. Timbalan Menteri Tenaga, Air dan Komunikasi Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum berkata selain pusat tersebut, ia mampu menampung sebuah pejabat pos yang akan memberi perkhidmatan transaksi perbankan, pusat pembayaran bil utiliti dan kaunter pelaburan Amanah Saham Nasional (ASN) dan Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB).
Beliau berkata demikian semasa sesi dialog dengan penduduk Uma Belor, sebuah daripada 15 buah rumah panjang di skim penempatan semula Sungai Asap pada malam Sabtu.
Pusat di Sungai Asap dan Sungai Koyan adalah untuk 10,000 masyarakat Orang Ulu yang kawasan mereka terlibat dalam pelaksanaan Projek Hidro-Elektrik Bakun.
Salang bersama dengan Ahli Parlimen Hulu Rajang Billy Abit Joo, Pengarah Kanan Suruhanjaya Multimedia dan Komunikasi Datuk Jailani Johari, Pegawai Daerah Belaga Sirai Daha, Temenggong Datuk Sri Nyipa Batok, Pemanca Umek Jeno dan tetamu lain sempat melawat Projek Empangan Bakun.Beliau berkata kemudahan lain yang akan disediakan di dewan serbaguna termasuklah perpustakaan.“Tujuan menyediakan Pusat Internet adalah untuk membolehkan masyarakat di sini berkomunikasi dengan dunia luar seperti masyarakat di Bario, Long Bedian dan Long Jengkitan,” kata beliau.Beliau berkata pembekal teknologi tanpa wayar Sacofa Sdn Bhd merancang dalam masa terdekat untuk mendirikan menara transmisi yang membolehkan masyarakat menonton siaran televisyen RTM dan liputan telefon bimbit yang lebih baik.Terdahulu, Billy Abit mendesak kerajaan untuk memperbaiki jalan Bakun dan menguatkuasakan peraturan trafik oleh pihak berkuasa yang berkenaan. “Jalan tersebut sentiasa sibuk dengan lori-lori besar yang membawa kayu balak. Ini sangat merbahaya kepada pengguna-pengguna jalan raya. Saya berharap mereka yang bertanggungjawab akan bertindak secepat mungki,” tambah Billy.
Beliau berkata demikian semasa sesi dialog dengan penduduk Uma Belor, sebuah daripada 15 buah rumah panjang di skim penempatan semula Sungai Asap pada malam Sabtu.
Pusat di Sungai Asap dan Sungai Koyan adalah untuk 10,000 masyarakat Orang Ulu yang kawasan mereka terlibat dalam pelaksanaan Projek Hidro-Elektrik Bakun.
Salang bersama dengan Ahli Parlimen Hulu Rajang Billy Abit Joo, Pengarah Kanan Suruhanjaya Multimedia dan Komunikasi Datuk Jailani Johari, Pegawai Daerah Belaga Sirai Daha, Temenggong Datuk Sri Nyipa Batok, Pemanca Umek Jeno dan tetamu lain sempat melawat Projek Empangan Bakun.Beliau berkata kemudahan lain yang akan disediakan di dewan serbaguna termasuklah perpustakaan.“Tujuan menyediakan Pusat Internet adalah untuk membolehkan masyarakat di sini berkomunikasi dengan dunia luar seperti masyarakat di Bario, Long Bedian dan Long Jengkitan,” kata beliau.Beliau berkata pembekal teknologi tanpa wayar Sacofa Sdn Bhd merancang dalam masa terdekat untuk mendirikan menara transmisi yang membolehkan masyarakat menonton siaran televisyen RTM dan liputan telefon bimbit yang lebih baik.Terdahulu, Billy Abit mendesak kerajaan untuk memperbaiki jalan Bakun dan menguatkuasakan peraturan trafik oleh pihak berkuasa yang berkenaan. “Jalan tersebut sentiasa sibuk dengan lori-lori besar yang membawa kayu balak. Ini sangat merbahaya kepada pengguna-pengguna jalan raya. Saya berharap mereka yang bertanggungjawab akan bertindak secepat mungki,” tambah Billy.
Harapan baru di Kawasan Baru
New hope in a new home
FORMER Sarawak State Minister Datuk Seri Tajang Laing's children in Kuching can now visit him in Belaga in the Kapit Division as frequently as they like. It was impossible to do so until two years ago.
Sungai Asap Longhouse where the 77-year-old Tajang now lives can be reached in about three hours plus - an hours flight from Kuching to Bintulu and 2½ hours for the 190 km drive from Bintulu. Tajang is one of the Belaga residents displaced by the construction of the RM7.9 billion Bakun hydroelectric dam. These residents had to abandon their long- houses to make way for the dam. He was from the Uma Nyaveng longhouse in Bakun.
Until two years ago, the former minister would normally take a short flight from Kuching to Sibu and the following day travel up to Belaga using the 6am express boat that plys the mighty Sungai Rejang.
The express boat would arrive in Belaga at about 3pm or later (depending on the condition of the river). From Belaga, it would take another two to three hours by boat using a connecting express boat to Uma Nyaveng.
In the '50s and '60s it took about a month to travel by ship and longboats from Kuching to Belaga, and in the '70s about a week.
Express boats were the only means of transport to Belaga in those days and commuters, including Tajang, had to put up with the high risks of travelling by river including the possibility of their boat, capsizing at the treacherous Sungai Pelagus rapids near Kapit and the Bakun rapids.
Tajang's daughter Livan, who lives in Kuching, said now she can visit her father as often as she wants due to the better transport system.
'We had to properly plan our trips home to Belaga in those days," she said.
Livan, an executive with a real estate firm, said her father could also travel to Kuching easily now.
'It normally takes him only about 2½ hours by road and he has to continue for 30km on a gravel road to reach Sungai Asap from Bintulu. The shorter travelling time on a good road is good for an ageing man like my father," she said.
The Bintulu-Bakun road was built after the Government revived the multi-billion Bakun project. The road now enables convenient travel for Tajang and 9,000 other ethnic Kayans and Kenyahs who now live in Sungai Asap, some 50km from the Bakun dam project site.
"The road really makes a big difference in terms of travelling for the People of Belaga. I can just fly from Kuching to Bintulu and drive to Sungai Asap in less then half a day, This was unthinkable in the old days," Livan said.
At Sungai Asap, Tajang and others enjoy better basic utilities and amenities such as electricity, piped water and a clinic.
The youths in Sungai Asap have job opportunities in nearby oil palm plantations and at the Bakun dam project site.
Up to 3,000 local youths will be trained to construct the dam by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) collaboration with the project contractor Malaysia-China Hydro Joint Venture (MCH-JV) consortium led by Sime Darby Bhd.
They will be given skilled-training at the project site and will be trained to operate backhoe loaders, wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, mobile, cranes and learn carpentry, concrete reinforcement and other relevant skills as construction of the dam progresses. After Bakun, these workers will be able to market their skills to other contractors undertaking 'massive infrastructure projects in the country and elsewhere.
Others have become small-time entrepreneurs: many are operating private transport service and have set up shops. A majority of them are cultivating pepper vines, planting vegetables and rearing fish which they hope to sell to migrant workers at the Bakun dam.
State Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Masing announced recently that more than 100,000, hectares of land in Belaga will be opened up for oil palm plantations, providing jobs for resettled people.
The Bakun protect itself will also generate employment and income for the people.
The State Agriculture Department is actively helping farmers in Sungai Asap to plant appropriate crops on a commercial basis.
Lian said that before moving to Sungai Asap, the way of life of the Kayan community in Belaga was determined by the climate. 'If it rained, they stayed at home and did not farm or fish. During the dry season, the women spent all their time collecting water from the river for household use.
"But now, with piped water, women have more time to do other things such as sell their vegetables at the wet market and so on.
"And because. they have smaller plots of land now, they have learnt to plant cash crops instead of padi. They can easily transport their cash crops to sell in Bintulu,' she said.
She said the people in Sungai Asap are slowly coming to terms with the sudden change in their way of life.
"They are learning and accepting the concept of the market economy. They now understand that they have to pay for conveniences such as electricity and water,' she said.
FORMER Sarawak State Minister Datuk Seri Tajang Laing's children in Kuching can now visit him in Belaga in the Kapit Division as frequently as they like. It was impossible to do so until two years ago.
Sungai Asap Longhouse where the 77-year-old Tajang now lives can be reached in about three hours plus - an hours flight from Kuching to Bintulu and 2½ hours for the 190 km drive from Bintulu. Tajang is one of the Belaga residents displaced by the construction of the RM7.9 billion Bakun hydroelectric dam. These residents had to abandon their long- houses to make way for the dam. He was from the Uma Nyaveng longhouse in Bakun.
Until two years ago, the former minister would normally take a short flight from Kuching to Sibu and the following day travel up to Belaga using the 6am express boat that plys the mighty Sungai Rejang.
The express boat would arrive in Belaga at about 3pm or later (depending on the condition of the river). From Belaga, it would take another two to three hours by boat using a connecting express boat to Uma Nyaveng.
In the '50s and '60s it took about a month to travel by ship and longboats from Kuching to Belaga, and in the '70s about a week.
Express boats were the only means of transport to Belaga in those days and commuters, including Tajang, had to put up with the high risks of travelling by river including the possibility of their boat, capsizing at the treacherous Sungai Pelagus rapids near Kapit and the Bakun rapids.
Tajang's daughter Livan, who lives in Kuching, said now she can visit her father as often as she wants due to the better transport system.
'We had to properly plan our trips home to Belaga in those days," she said.
Livan, an executive with a real estate firm, said her father could also travel to Kuching easily now.
'It normally takes him only about 2½ hours by road and he has to continue for 30km on a gravel road to reach Sungai Asap from Bintulu. The shorter travelling time on a good road is good for an ageing man like my father," she said.
The Bintulu-Bakun road was built after the Government revived the multi-billion Bakun project. The road now enables convenient travel for Tajang and 9,000 other ethnic Kayans and Kenyahs who now live in Sungai Asap, some 50km from the Bakun dam project site.
"The road really makes a big difference in terms of travelling for the People of Belaga. I can just fly from Kuching to Bintulu and drive to Sungai Asap in less then half a day, This was unthinkable in the old days," Livan said.
At Sungai Asap, Tajang and others enjoy better basic utilities and amenities such as electricity, piped water and a clinic.
The youths in Sungai Asap have job opportunities in nearby oil palm plantations and at the Bakun dam project site.
Up to 3,000 local youths will be trained to construct the dam by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) collaboration with the project contractor Malaysia-China Hydro Joint Venture (MCH-JV) consortium led by Sime Darby Bhd.
They will be given skilled-training at the project site and will be trained to operate backhoe loaders, wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, mobile, cranes and learn carpentry, concrete reinforcement and other relevant skills as construction of the dam progresses. After Bakun, these workers will be able to market their skills to other contractors undertaking 'massive infrastructure projects in the country and elsewhere.
Others have become small-time entrepreneurs: many are operating private transport service and have set up shops. A majority of them are cultivating pepper vines, planting vegetables and rearing fish which they hope to sell to migrant workers at the Bakun dam.
State Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Masing announced recently that more than 100,000, hectares of land in Belaga will be opened up for oil palm plantations, providing jobs for resettled people.
The Bakun protect itself will also generate employment and income for the people.
The State Agriculture Department is actively helping farmers in Sungai Asap to plant appropriate crops on a commercial basis.
Lian said that before moving to Sungai Asap, the way of life of the Kayan community in Belaga was determined by the climate. 'If it rained, they stayed at home and did not farm or fish. During the dry season, the women spent all their time collecting water from the river for household use.
"But now, with piped water, women have more time to do other things such as sell their vegetables at the wet market and so on.
"And because. they have smaller plots of land now, they have learnt to plant cash crops instead of padi. They can easily transport their cash crops to sell in Bintulu,' she said.
She said the people in Sungai Asap are slowly coming to terms with the sudden change in their way of life.
"They are learning and accepting the concept of the market economy. They now understand that they have to pay for conveniences such as electricity and water,' she said.
PERLU ADANYA PEMADAM API UNTUK SETIAP RUMAH PANJANG
Rumah panjang terbakar, 398 hilang tempat tinggal
BELAGA: Sejumlah 35 keluarga yang membabitkan 398 orang penghuni hilang tempat tinggal dalam satu kebakaran yang memusnahkan sebuah rumah panjang di Uma Kahei, di sini pada kira-kira jam 3 pagi semalam.
Bagaimanapun, 45 pintu (keluarga) lagi terselamat daripada bencana berkenaan. Secara keseluruhannya, Uma Kahei dihuni sejumlah 80 pintu (keluarga).Tiada kemalangan jiwa dilaporkan dalam kebakaran berkenaan.
SAO Sami Siba dari Pejabat Daerah Belaga yang menghubungi Utusan Borneo di sini petang semalam berkata, punca kebakaran dan kerugian masih belum dapat dipastikan dan kes itu masih disiasat.
Katanya, disebabkan api marak dengan begitu cepat, semua mangsa lari lintang-pukang untuk menyelamat-kan diri.
Menurutnya, mangsa yang terbabit kehilangan dokumen-dokumen penting dan harta benda lain.
“Pagi tadi, seawal jam 5 pagi, Ketua Kampung Maran Uma Kedoh Tajang telah melaporkan kejadian kepada Pejabat Daerah dan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat di sini,” katanya sambil memberitahu bahawa Uma Kahei terletak di hulu pekan Belaga dan hanya mengambil masa 15 minit dengan bot dari pekan Belaga.
Sami berkata sejurus me-nerima laporan, sepasukan pegawai dari Belaga yang terdiri daripada beliau sendiri, Kiprawi Mokhtar (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) dan Huvang Liah (Jabatan Penerangan) telah bergegas ke lokasi dengan sebuah bot laju.
Menurut Sami, mangsa kini menumpang sementara di rumah saudara-mara berdekatan.
Menurutnya, mangsa memerlukan bahan-bahan se-perti bahan binaan untuk membina rumah baru, keperluan seharian seperti maka-nan, peralatan dapur, pakaian dan lain-lain.
Katanya, beberapa pemimpin dan wakil rakyat dijangka mengadakan lawatan ke Uma Kahei hari ini untuk menghulurkan bantuan.
Antaranya ialah Menteri Kemajuan Tanah Sarawak Dato Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, Ahli Parlimen Hulu Rejang Datuk Billy Abit Joo, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Belaga Liwan Lagang dan Setiausaha Politik Ketua Menteri Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
Sami juga memberitahu bahawa orang ramai diseru menghulurkan derma dan bantuan kepada mangsa.
Derma atau sumbangan berbentuk kewangan dan bahan makanan boleh dihantar ke Pejabat Daerah Belaga.
Bagi mereka yang menyumbang kewangan berbentuk cek bolehlah diberi atas nama Jawatankuasa Bencana Alam Daerah Belaga.
Sesiapa yang ingin mendapatkan maklumat lanjut sila hubungi pegawai seranta: SAO Abdul Halim Abdullah dan SAO Sami Siba di Pejabat Daerah Belaga di talian 086-461315 atau 086-6461339.
BELAGA: Sejumlah 35 keluarga yang membabitkan 398 orang penghuni hilang tempat tinggal dalam satu kebakaran yang memusnahkan sebuah rumah panjang di Uma Kahei, di sini pada kira-kira jam 3 pagi semalam.
Bagaimanapun, 45 pintu (keluarga) lagi terselamat daripada bencana berkenaan. Secara keseluruhannya, Uma Kahei dihuni sejumlah 80 pintu (keluarga).Tiada kemalangan jiwa dilaporkan dalam kebakaran berkenaan.
SAO Sami Siba dari Pejabat Daerah Belaga yang menghubungi Utusan Borneo di sini petang semalam berkata, punca kebakaran dan kerugian masih belum dapat dipastikan dan kes itu masih disiasat.
Katanya, disebabkan api marak dengan begitu cepat, semua mangsa lari lintang-pukang untuk menyelamat-kan diri.
Menurutnya, mangsa yang terbabit kehilangan dokumen-dokumen penting dan harta benda lain.
“Pagi tadi, seawal jam 5 pagi, Ketua Kampung Maran Uma Kedoh Tajang telah melaporkan kejadian kepada Pejabat Daerah dan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat di sini,” katanya sambil memberitahu bahawa Uma Kahei terletak di hulu pekan Belaga dan hanya mengambil masa 15 minit dengan bot dari pekan Belaga.
Sami berkata sejurus me-nerima laporan, sepasukan pegawai dari Belaga yang terdiri daripada beliau sendiri, Kiprawi Mokhtar (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) dan Huvang Liah (Jabatan Penerangan) telah bergegas ke lokasi dengan sebuah bot laju.
Menurut Sami, mangsa kini menumpang sementara di rumah saudara-mara berdekatan.
Menurutnya, mangsa memerlukan bahan-bahan se-perti bahan binaan untuk membina rumah baru, keperluan seharian seperti maka-nan, peralatan dapur, pakaian dan lain-lain.
Katanya, beberapa pemimpin dan wakil rakyat dijangka mengadakan lawatan ke Uma Kahei hari ini untuk menghulurkan bantuan.
Antaranya ialah Menteri Kemajuan Tanah Sarawak Dato Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, Ahli Parlimen Hulu Rejang Datuk Billy Abit Joo, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Belaga Liwan Lagang dan Setiausaha Politik Ketua Menteri Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
Sami juga memberitahu bahawa orang ramai diseru menghulurkan derma dan bantuan kepada mangsa.
Derma atau sumbangan berbentuk kewangan dan bahan makanan boleh dihantar ke Pejabat Daerah Belaga.
Bagi mereka yang menyumbang kewangan berbentuk cek bolehlah diberi atas nama Jawatankuasa Bencana Alam Daerah Belaga.
Sesiapa yang ingin mendapatkan maklumat lanjut sila hubungi pegawai seranta: SAO Abdul Halim Abdullah dan SAO Sami Siba di Pejabat Daerah Belaga di talian 086-461315 atau 086-6461339.
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