A series of seminar was organised in April 2011 throughout the state to explain to the pre-selected elderly Dayak communities on the new longhouse concept. The youth were left out from the carefully selected audience, hence the outburst in the social media to disagree with the new longhouse design. The concept remains blurry on the design.
An assistant minister was quick to rebuke any hidden agenda behind the new concept. Dayak internet users disagreed with the design. The land title issues were raised up during the seminar by the pre-selected audience.
Today, despite the assurance from Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg on available funding, Rh. Chabu have yet to see any pillars being erected. The year 2011 is coming to an end, and 2012 is coming soon.
The design of the longhouse build under the New Longhouse Concept can be view here.
The villagers at Rh. Chabu is looking forward to a Christmas gift from Santa Claus Datuk Amar Abang Johari! Ohh by-the-way, we demand to see the latest design – the modified ones. Or a hidden agenda was really there of a different kind?
Construction Of New Sarawak Longhouse Concept To Begin This Year
KUCHING, July 8 (Bernama) — The construction of the new longhouse concept will begin this year with a village in Bakong, Miri, identified for the implementation of the pioneer project, said Sarawak Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“The site survey is now underway and we have the funds to finance the construction of the new longhouse concept,” he told reporters after receiving a courtesy call from Pertubuhan Belia Kebangsaan Sarawak (Saberkas) exco members led by its secretary-general Aidan Wing at his office on Thursday.
Abang Johari said one of the unique features of the new longhouse concept was the availibility of ownership title that had been absent from the existing old longhouse.
“It will allow the owners to mortgage or refinance,” he said, adding that it would make it easier for Sarawak to bid for more funds from the federal government to build more affordable homes, including the longhouse, in the Tenth Malaysian Plan (10MP).
He said the state government decided to proceed with the pioneer project despite criticism and resentment from certain parties because it would benefit those staying in the longhouse in the long run.
“As it’s a pioneer project, we don’t expect it to be 100 percent perfect. We will listen to all the feedback and rectify the weaknesses, so that the new concept will be accepted by all quarters concerned,” he said.
On the housing tribunal, Abang Johari said the old State Legislative Assembly building had been picked to house the tribunal.
“The renovation will include the setting up of a chamber and as of now, we have received many complaints to the tribunal for further action,” he said without elaborating.
On the latest allegation of rape of Penan women in Baram, he questioned the motive of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which highlighted only the Penan community.
“Why only highlight the Penans? Why don’t they also highlight the rape cases in urban areas and come up with a solution,” he said. — BERNAMA
