Leverage on party platforms to improve local economy, Women told

MIRI: Women in Telang Usan are urged to grab opportunities provided through activities organised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) in the constituency to improve their livelihood and the local economy.

In stressing this, Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau said the party provided a platform of skills training as well as assistances to the local community particularly in the production of handicrafts.

“In this training programme to produce Tebaeng Bela (handicraft beads in Kayan), it provides an opportunity to learn about the product as well as marketing the product globally.

“This is because our handicraft has vast potential and is sought after by communities not only in Sarawak and Malaysia but also overseas where tourists would come here and buy our products as memorabilia and decoration,” he said.

He said this when officiating at a Tebaeng Bela production workshop organised by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and the Telang Usan PBB Women Wing here recently.

Dennis also pushed for an ecosystem whereby handicraft products can be improved in terms of its sale, marketing as well as design.

“The handicraft products by the Orang Ulu community can provide returns to the women in the community. We can have entrepreneurs who buys the products from the community and re-sell them.

“At the same time, we can also have people who would modify the basic handicraft design and add value to it, for example, the usual rattan mats can be re-designed and framed to be hung on walls in living rooms.

“Similarly, we can also have marketeers who can help market the products in large quantities to companies. If we can do this, there are vast opportunities along the way,” he said.

In the same speech, the Telang Usan assemblyman said that the PBB branch has worked tirelessly to serve the community and has put politics to good means.

“From our track record at our service centre, we have served the community and has fought to bring about meaningful change. We walk the talk and the result is for all to see,” he said.