SELANGAU – A vibrant celebration marked the completion of a new longhouse for Rh. Dicka Anthony in Sungai Anak, blending modern community initiatives with deep-seated Iban tradition.
The “Ngentak Rumah Panjang Baharu” programme was held in conjunction with a leisure event organised by the Sungai Anak Branch of the Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) party, showcasing a strong spirit of mutual assistance, or gotong-royong.
The ceremony was officiated by Nelson Mujah Girie, Head of the PBB N60 Kakus Branch. He was accompanied by a party delegation that included Murphy Nyegang Mujah, Secretary of the same branch and a member of the Sarawak PBB Youth Movement’s Supreme Working Council.
In his address, Nelson Mujah extended his congratulations to Tuai Rumah Dicka Anthony and all the residents on their successful endeavour.
He urged the longhouse community to provide their full cooperation to the contractor tasked with the land-filling work, emphasising that this collaboration was essential to prevent any issues with an uneven foundation for the new structure.
Furthermore, he advised branch leaders and longhouse chiefs to systematically compile data on households that have not yet received any form of aid from government bodies, particularly the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
This data, he noted, should be forwarded to the PBB N60 Kakus Service Centre to facilitate assistance. He also highlighted a key government initiative, informing attendees that the Sarawak government, via the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), is currently offering housing loans of up to RM50,000 for the construction or upgrading of longhouses across the state.
The event was rich with cultural significance. The PBB delegation was formally welcomed with a traditional ngajat dance performed by the residents, a gesture of honour and respect. In a particularly striking display of custom, the longhouse community had conducted a ceremonial procession in the early hours of the morning.
This traditional ritual, which involved moving from the old longhouse to the new site at around 1.30 am, is a deeply rooted practice for the Iban when establishing a new communal home.
Tuai Rumah Dicka Anthony expressed profound gratitude to the political delegation for their presence and support, which contributed significantly to the event’s success.
Demonstrating the state government’s commitment to rural development, Nelson Mujah, representing Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, presented grants from the Small Rural Projects (MRP) fund.
Cheques for RM5,000 each were awarded to two Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK): JKKK Rh. Dicka Anthony and JKKK Rh. Satik Jabing.
The ceremony was also attended by a host of local dignitaries, including Pemanca Mathew Belawan Daut, Penghulu Dom Brooke, and Rohana Abdullah, a member of the Sarawak State Women’s Movement Council.
