MIRI – The Orang Ulu community has been urged to embrace Sarawak’s economic development and technological advancements while preserving its cultural identity, traditions and heritage.
Sarawak Premier (caretaker) Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg said communities must remain adaptable to changes in the global economic landscape to ensure they can participate in emerging opportunities and benefit from the state’s development.
He noted that the Orang Ulu community had demonstrated its willingness to embrace modernisation while maintaining the cultural values that distinguish its identity.
The Premier said progress should not require communities to abandon their traditions but rather provide opportunities to strengthen their position in a changing society.
“What we see today is that the Orang Ulu are ready to change for modernisation. Together, we are changing our way of life without sacrificing our culture and continuing to move forward,” he said.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Cultural Centre of the Federation of Sarawak Orang Ulu Associations of Malaysia (FORUM) in Miri on Saturday, 7 November.
The newly established cultural centre represents an important milestone for the Orang Ulu community, providing a dedicated space to showcase its cultural heritage while bringing members of the community together under one roof.
According to the Premier, the centre reflects the community’s longstanding aspiration to establish a shared institution that can strengthen solidarity and preserve the traditions passed down through generations.
He said its significance extends beyond cultural preservation, as it also represents the community’s readiness to participate in future development without losing its traditional values.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and earlier leaders who had played important roles in bringing the Orang Ulu community together.
Their efforts, he said, had helped establish a foundation for greater unity, which should be sustained through the commitment and participation of younger generations.
The Premier also highlighted the economic prospects emerging from infrastructure development in the Baram region, particularly improvements to road connectivity and the potential expansion of higher-value economic activities.
Better infrastructure access is expected to provide local communities with greater opportunities to participate in economic activities, improve connectivity and explore new areas of development.
He encouraged the Orang Ulu community to make effective use of these opportunities by strengthening educational attainment, technical knowledge and familiarity with modern technology.
He stressed that preparing the younger generation for the changing economic environment would be essential to ensuring the community remained competitive.
Access to education and relevant skills, he said, would help equip local people to take part in emerging industries and contribute more actively to Sarawak’s future economic direction.
In this regard, he referred to the state’s free higher education policy, highlighting the importance of educational opportunities in preparing the Orang Ulu community for the demands of the modern economy.
“The Orang Ulu have a very important role in the new economy through this education scheme,” he said.
The policy was highlighted as part of the broader effort to ensure that communities across Sarawak could benefit from development through improved access to education and opportunities to build relevant capabilities.
The Premier further emphasised that the FORUM Cultural Centre should serve as more than a physical representation of Orang Ulu identity.
He said the facility had the potential to introduce the community’s distinctive traditions, diverse cultural heritage and welcoming character to visitors from outside Sarawak and beyond.
Preserving cultural identity while pursuing economic progress remains an important consideration as communities adapt to changing social and economic conditions.
In this context, the centre is expected to provide a focal point for strengthening community ties and maintaining an appreciation of inherited traditions.
He expressed hope that the facility would continue to represent unity and prosperity among the Orang Ulu people while supporting the wider development of Sarawak and ensuring that future generations remain connected to their cultural roots. â Sarawak Daily
