MIRI: The creation of Telang Usan district is the first step towards the development of a new township in this Orang Ulu heartland of Baram.
(From right) A representative from the association presenting a beautifully woven Orang Ulu hat to Jabu.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Alfred Jabu, this is part of the holistic approach undertaken by the state government in developing the Baram hinterland.
“The new township will be new nucleus for the Orang Ulu community, promoting entrepreneurship and exclusivity,” he said in officiating at the inaugural Pesta Lunau (Harvest Festival) of the Kayans at a hotel here on Thursday night. The event was organised by the divisional Sarawak Kayan Association.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem last month announced during a Federation of Orang Ulu Association Malaysia (Forum)’s function that three new districts would be created under this division – Bekenu, Telang Usan and Beluru – which would add to the existing Miri and Marudi.
Meanwhile, Jabu commended the Kayan association for striving to preserve the community’s unique culture and identity.
However, he also cautioned that such efforts must not be done at expense of the people being isolated from other communities.
The colourful event drew participants from this here, Baram, Belaga and Kuching, featuring the traditional dance and musical performances that were unique to the Kayans such as the selingut (nose flute) and satung (bamboo harp) performance by Jok Wan and Unyang Ngau of Daleh Long Pelutan in the upper Baram.
Jabu later announced an allocation of RM 20,000 under the Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant to the association in support of its efforts in promoting and preserving of the community’s culture, customs and tradition, as well as the Kayan language.
Meanwhile, organising chairman Philip Ngo said the first-ever Pesta Lunau had drawn overwhelming response from the community, being attended by every longhouse chief and representative in the Baram district.
He said the association had pledged to make it an annual event.
Also attending was Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, who called on the young Kayans to learn and progress even further.
He said the modern challenges and changes would require them to be adaptive and innovative in their strive to remain in the mainstream of the state development.
Present at the function were Deputy State Secretary Datuk Ose Muran, Miri Resident Antonio Kathi Galis, Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai, Miri District officer Boniface Apat and Temengong Elizabeth Deng.