Sarikei longhouses may not be named after headmen

One interesting article appearing in The Borneo Post today (4 May) is about the views expressed by the Resident of Sarikei Michael Dawi Alli on longhouses in the division that may not be named after their headmen.

Michael said: “His office has listed changing the longhouse naming system as one of its key focus activities (KFA) for this year’s Key Performance Indicator (KPI).

“A special meeting would be held for all longhouse chiefs in the division soon,” he said.

Michael mentioned the proposal during the meeting between community leaders and Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum in Pakan on Saturday.

He explained that the idea was mooted because of administrative problems caused by the naming of longhouses after their respective Tuai Rumah.

The most common problem was that longhouse names needed to be changed whenever a new longhouse chief was appointed.

“This is where and when such problems surface. This can happen many times to a longhouse and when there is no effort made to update the records with the authorities concerned, many problems crop up.

“The postal service provider will face problems in delivering mails or parcels as the names of the longhouses do not exist in their records.

“Similarly, the various agencies face problems in tracing residents after they change their longhouse names,” he said.

The Resident’s office has suggested longhouse be named after geographical features such as river, place or mountain, he said as these names would remain even if all the residents moved out.

This is a very good suggestion by the Resident of Sarikei Division, a suggestion other divisions should adopt.

The only longhouses in Kota Samarahan, Kuching and some in Sri Aman divisions where they are named after trees, rivers, mountains and even animals. They are called Kampung Gayau, Kampung Isu, Kampung Sematong (a type of jambu), Kampung Sibau, Kampung Nangka, Kampung Sungai Pinang, Kampung Jagu, Kampung Tekura, and so on.

But in other divisions like Betong, Sibu, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang, the longhouses are named after their headmen.

Their biggest problem is that they need to change their identity cards with the change in the names of their longhouses. When they register themselves as voters, they need to update their ICs now and then following the change in their longhouse chiefs.

The problem now has been made worse when the government appoints longhouse chiefs and replaces them once a while.

The longhouse people no longer elect their own headmen.

Michael’s suggestion is really food for thought.

Bashed for defending his own land

This is a tragic story of a farmer Minggat anak Nyakin and his son Juan trying to defend his NCR land were bashed of by intruders and loggers. Minggat’s case is only a tip of the iceberg; some suffer by being arrested by the authorities.

Yet others who are so scared suffer in silence. But there are those who dare to stand up for their rights, especially those of Rumah Ranggong, Ulu Niah. Instead of being scared, they dare to challenge gangsters sent by an oil palm company to intimidate them.

Minggat anak Nyakin who has a parcel of NCR land at Sungai Rotan and Sungai PenyaruKuba (Kiba) Sarikei found out the hard and excruciatingly painful way that standing up for his rights is no easy task and which almost cost him his life.

“Not only he was badly beaten up, he was also arrested by the Police,” said Ngumbang Anak Barau, of Tahabas (Native land Owners Network). (This story was published by Free Malaysia Today).

He said that on the evening of 14 February 2011, Minggat and his son Juan had gone to their land to check on the outcome of an alleged illegal logging over their NCR land at Sungai Rusa, Sarikei.

They had previously reported the alleged illegal logging over his land to the Police, the Lands and Survey Department as well as the Public Works Department back in December 2010 for investigation.

Upon finding that the logging has continued seemingly unabated, they decided to drop by the log-pond late that Monday evening and tried negotiating for compensation with its manager.

The negotiation went sour and before Minggat and his son could leave the office building, they were initially attacked viciously at its footsteps.

“Although badly hurt, his son managed to escape in the darkness towards a nearby oil-palm plantation, while his father was left in an unconscious state at the foot-steps of the log-pond manager’s office,” Ngumbang said.

He said Minggat and Juan are now admitted at the Sarikei Hospital, with the police guarding them as they are both being remanded.

“Regardless of any wrong-doings or crimes that Minggat or his son may have committed, the source of the problem has yet to be investigated satisfactorily by the authorities.

“Minggat’s family agrees that Minggat should be fairly investigated, and so does the timber company that has been operating for many years on NCR land allegedly without a relevant or valid licence.

“The alleged illegal logging seems to be proceeding unhindered thus far. A police report has been lodged by Minggat’s wife yesterday on 16 February regarding the attack. The attackers have not been arrested,” he said.

As of today, the name of the timber company which owns the log-pond remains unknown to the rest of us, while there is no telling when investigations will be made on Minggat’s and his son’s attackers.

“What is certain is that Minggat and Juan will remain hospitalized for a few more days or even weeks.

“Today, their pains are too debilitating for them to even ponder what they will do next.” Ngumbang added.

'The Broken Shield' Roadtour: Saratok, Sarikei & Sibu

Dear readers, I will be promoting my book by visiting the following places and dates:-

WAWASAN INN, SARIKEI
Friday, 1 Feb 2008 (3.00 pm onwards)

TANAH MAS HOTEL, SIBU
Saturday, 2 Feb 2008 (12.00 noon onwards)

SARATOK
Sunday, 3 Feb 2008 (12.00 noon – 2.00 pm)

Thank you.