‘No community left behind’: Unifor aid reaches remote Ba Ajeng in Ulu Baram through new church

Gerawat (seated, fourth left) and others during the opening of the BEM Ba Ajeng Church in Long Ajeng, Upper Baram, on May 28, 2026. Photo: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 29: The Sarawak government’s commitment to ensuring inclusive development and welfare for all communities was once again demonstrated when assistance from the Unit for Other Religions (UnifoR) reached the remote settlement of Ba Ajeng in Ulu Baram through the construction of the BEM Ba Ajeng Church.

In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that no community, including the Penan living in remote and hard-to-reach areas, is overlooked.

“This church was among the early recipients of Unifor grants in 2018 and 2019, receiving a total allocation of RM85,000 for its construction,” he said when officiating the opening of the BEM Ba Ajeng Church in Long Ajeng, Upper Baram, on Thursday (May 28).

He explained that to reach the area, it requires a seven-hour journey using a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle from Miri to Segah Selaan, followed by an additional one-and-a-half-hour boat ride, highlighting the logistical challenges faced by residents in the interior.

Gerawat said that in addition to the church project, the community also received support from the Forest Department Sarawak, which contributed 1,580 sheets of Spandek roofing.

During the event, Gerawat, who is also Mulu assemblyman, announced Rural Transformation Project (MRP) allocations of RM10,000 for the Long Ajeng Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) and RM2,000 for the purchase of chairs for the BEM Long Ajeng Church.

Additional allocations of RM8,000 each were announced for the JKKKs of Long Murung and Long Lamam. — DayakDaily