KUCHING: Residents of Uma Badeng in Sungai
Asap Koyan are angry that PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit
to their village had split their community.
They recently expressed their frustration by hanging a banner in the
village with the wording `Don’t bring Anwar to Uma Badeng’.
Daniel Bampa, 45, a resident of Uma Badeng Dangang, came to The Borneo
Post office yesterday and claimed that Anwar’s presence had split the Orang Ulu
community, which includes the Kenyahs, Kayans, Kajangs, Kejamans, Punans, Ukits
and Penans.
“He has been to our village twice and he is not helping much in terms of
unity. Instead, he has been instigating our people to go against the
government,” said Daniel.
He said there used to be strong understanding and close relationship among
the different Orang Ulu sub-groups but lately those who are not supportive of
Anwar are labelled as an ‘opposition’.
“Whenever there is a PRK event in Belaga there would be some sort of
tension and disunity among certain groups of people. His (Anwar) presence has
created misunderstanding and disputes,” claimed Daniel.
He added that Anwar made another trip to Uma Badeng yesterday and word
had been going around for days that a demonstration would be staged to oppose
his visit.
“He (Anwar) talked about reformation which we don’t need. We, the Orang
Ulus, are experiencing our own transformation under the Barisan Nasional. We
had been shifting cultivators but now we are centralised farmers. We are
already transformed.
“In terms of education, from wooden school now we have concrete schools.
We have graduate teachers and there are so many graduates and professionals
among us.”
Daniel said opposition leaders should also pay respect to their
community leaders, such as the headman or Maren Uma.
“I would like them to visit the Maren Uma first before they start their
political gatherings. We, Orang Ulus, need that kind of respect. Don’t just
come and go as if our village is a `kandang’ (animal pen).”
He said there was a reason for a Maren Uma to be chosen and as the
villagers respect their Maren Uma. Hence, as visitors, opposition leaders
should also render the same respect by paying a visit to the Maren Uma
personally before interacting with the villagers.
Sumber: Borneo Post
Sumber: Borneo Post
