Sarawak govt to establish special committee to develop policies, support Penan community

A Penan community leader hands over the memorandum to Abang Johari (fourth left) during a ceremony in Miri on Sept 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

MIRI, Sept 18: The Sarawak government will establish a special committee to explore and develop policies to support the Penan community.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the committee, involving elected representatives, will be tasked with formulating policies to assist the Penan, as requested by their community leaders.

“I will set up a State-level committee, along with elected representatives, to explore and develop policies to support the Penan community, as requested through their community leaders,” he said in a news report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).

The Premier made these remarks during a ceremony to hand over a Memorandum of Support for the Penan Community Development to Sarawak government today.

Responding to one of the Penan leaders’ requests, Abang Johari assured that the government would ensure greater inclusivity for all Sarawakians, particularly in the public service, aligning with the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“Pemanca suggested more Penan should join the public sector. Through PCDS 2030, inclusivity is a key principle, meaning we must support all Sarawakians. By 2026, we will also offer free education to all Sarawakians,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by 50 Penan community and village leaders from Miri, Telang Usan, Marudi, and Beluru.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister of Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring Datuk Gerawat Gala, Deputy Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, and Deputy Minister of Women and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus were also present. — DayakDaily