Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said perception created by some outsiders, such as Bruno Manser, that the Penans are still left behind is far from the truth, as the community has long enjoyed development and modernisation.

He said this proved that the policy of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is not biased and it ensured that all races and community enjoy the fruit of development.

“The perception by outsiders such as by Bruno manser, that the Penans are still nomadic, wear  loin cloth and are left behind is far from the truth. Today, I see it with my own eyes, how modern, educated the Penans are,” he said in front of a crowd of about 3,000 people at a Penan longhouse in Kampung Mareng Penan, Jambatan Suai Niah, about 122km from Miri.

The 36-door longhouse is the most modern Penan longhouse in Sarawak.

Also present at the function were BN candidate for Kemena, Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, BN candidate for Samalaju, Majang Renggi and Penan Sarawak community leader, Datuk Hassan Sui.

Najib in his address also praised Hassan for creating a name for himself by being the most successful Penan in Malaysia.

“Datuk Hassan only studied up to Primary 6, imagine if he made it to university.. he is very deserving.

“In line with this, we in BN wants more Penan children to enter university so that they too can secure a better future,” he said.

At the function, Najib announced a RM1 million allocation for upgrading the Penan longhouse in Kampung Mareng Penan and another RM200,000 for the Sarawak Tipun Penan Development Association (PETIPUN) to boost the education of Penan children.

He also presented approval letters for Longhouses Housing Loan Scheme for 36 doors in Mareng Penan longhouse and 89 doors in Ngipa Tinggang longhouse in Sebauh, Bintulu.

Earlier, Hassan Sui said some 18,000 Penans in Sarawak had pledged to give their undivided support to Najib’s leadership.

“As a Penan community leader, I am very lucky and happy to have Najib visiting us here. This is the best so far. I promise to do the best to prove that whatever assistance given by the government will be implemented  accordingly,” he said.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Jacqueline Raphael

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