Call on community’s professionals, intellectuals to join Kuching Melanau association

KUCHING (Nov 30): Professionals and intellectuals with Melanau lineage are called to join the Kuching Melanau Association (PMK), so as to empower the community and drive its socio-economic development.

This was highlighted by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh, also PMK patron, in his speech for the Family Day 2025 here on Saturday.

“The Melanau community must have a strong mission, vision, and values to advance the nation.

“Sharing knowledge and experience by intellectuals and professionals can drive the socio-economic development of this community in Kuching,” he said at the event, jointly organised by PMK and Sarawak Melanau Community Welfare Trust Board (LAKKMS).

Len Talif further encouraged more educated and professional Melanau to join the association, where they could play a key role in designing beneficial programmes for the younger generation.

Highlighting the community’s progress, he noted that although the Melanau once lived with limited resources, they had successfully improved their lives through hard work and perseverance.

“We must be a diligent and clever community, grabbing opportunities in every field,” he added.

Currently, Kuching is home to some 12,000 Melanaus, including those with mixed heritage, who speak a variety of dialects.

However, PMK membership currently remains below 2,000.

“In the past, many were hesitant to speak the Melanau language in major cities, but today that has changed.

“The Melanau people are no longer embarrassed by it, and many people from other communities are now eager to learn the language,” he said.

Len Taliff also highlighted a recent initiative funded by FireFox Web to include Melanau Mukah entries in the global language database, involving nearly 30 PMK members who are Melanau Mukah speakers.

He further expressed pride in the growing international recognition of traditional Melanau food items such as ‘umai’, ‘linut’, ‘tebaloi’, ‘umbut tepus’ and sago.

“These traditional food items, many of which have been commercialised, should continue to be supported and promoted through social media, as well as at state and national exhibitions,” he added.