BELAGA: Some two decades have passed since almost 10,000 people from 15 longhouses at the Sungai Balui area were relocated following construction of the dam and hydroelectric power plant in Bakun.

And, thanks to the mega project, some of the ethnic communities who made the ‘big move’ are now enjoying a better quality of life.

They now reside in modern longhouses in the vicinity of Sungai Asap – about 60km away from the dam site – and schools, banks and clinics are merely a motorcyle-ride away from home, unlike in the past when such facilities were hard to access and boats were their only mode of transportation.

But getting these people, mostly belonging to the Kenyah, Kayan, Lahanan, Penan and Ukit ethnic groups, to move did not come without problems as initially they did not want to be uprooted from their ancestral land.

Eventually they relented and the relocation exercise was carried out in stages in 1998 and 1999.

Infrastructure Available

Among the modern longhouses erected in Sungai Asap is one named Uma Belor, where the Kayan ethnic group stays.

Stretching almost a kilometre in length, the 101-door longhouse is one of the longest in the Land of the Hornbills, as journalists found out during a media trip there organised by the Information Department.

Headman Saging Bit, 59, said although many of them were reluctant to leave Sungai Balui, their new settlement has proven to be far better and they have never looked back since.

“When we first heard the news that we would have to move to another place to make way for a dam, many of us, especially the elders, objected. Many of the elders wanted to remain on their ancestral land although it lacked amenities.

“They were then using generators for power supply and they used to get free fuel from logging companies. But after much coaxing they agreed to move (to the new longhouse),” he told reporters, who were also accompanied by some staff and senior officers of Bakun Dam operator Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd.

The company conducts various activities for settlers affected by the Bakun dam project as part of its corporate social responsibility projects.

Saging said when they moved to Sungai Asap in November 1998, many of them were struck by the infrastructure and amenities available there.

Not only did they get to enjoy electricity and water supplies round the clock, the presence of proper roads made it easier for them to get around, instead of having to rely entirely on river transportation as they did back at their old dwelling place.

“As days passed by, we felt better about our new home and had less emotional attachment to our previous place,” said Saging.

Amenities Nearby

Recollecting the difficulties his community faced at their former settlement at Long Purah Sah A in Hulu Balui, Saging said they were forced to travel long distances by boat to go to school, seek medical treatment or visit any government department.

“Just to go to Belaga town, we had to spend quite a bit too, because it was not cheap taking a boat as fuel prices were high. We also had to spend on food as it would take us a few days to reach the town,” he related.

The situation in Sungai Asap is a far cry from Sungai Balui.

Children are now sent to school daily on motorcycles and “there’s no need for them to spend the night at school”.

“We also have clinics, shops and government offices located nearby. We don’t have to spend so much on transportation and life is more comfortable for us now than it used to be,” said Saging.

The fact that their children now have easy access to a decent education is another major plus point for the families. Not far from their settlement are two primary schools – Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Long Gang and SK Batu Keling – and a secondary school, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bakun.

Currently, 142 members of the Kayan families living in the Uma Belor longhouse have tertiary education but the community’s dream is to have at least one university graduate per household.

Among those with the tertiary qualifications are 60 who have a first degree, seven with a Master’s degree and even one who holds a PhD.

There are also another 74 who have diplomas while 16 are currently pursuing their tertiary education at various public and private institutions of higher learning.

Economic Status

Over the years, the Uma Belor dwellers have also seen vast improvements in their socio-economic status, with 65 per cent of the households enjoying monthly incomes exceeding RM3,000.

According to Saging, some 800 people used to reside in this particular longhouse but now only half of them remain there as many had ventured out to the bigger towns in search of jobs.

He said 37 per cent of the residents were currently employed in the private sector and 22 per cent in the public sector. Another 31 per cent are farmers, four per cent labourers and five per cent businessmen. Only one per cent is involved in politics.

Saging said some of the farmers supplied vegetables to the nearby schools while others operate catfish hatcheries and nurseries for pepper plants.

He said they were also catching up fast on the ins and outs of the tourism industry and some were even promoting homestay packages through the Internet.

In fact, three years ago, 12 out of the 101 units at the Uma Belor longhouse were renovated and converted into guest rooms. Now called Leo Dian Homestay, it is enjoying brisk business, especially during the school holidays.

Besides Malaysians, foreigners are also attracted to Leo Dian Homestay, where they get to sample the traditions and way of life of the Kayan community, besides enjoying the beauty and serenity of the surroundings.

“About 200 to 300 people stay with us each year (under the homestay programme). Sometimes during the school holidays, we get to host more than 100 people in a month,” he said, adding that they only charged RM30 a person per night.

He said they also offered homestay packages that enabled guests to taste traditional Kayan dishes, as well as try their hand at weaving.

Saging also said that the state government and Sarawak Hidro have always taken an interest in the welfare of the Uma Belor Kayan community and extended a helping hand to ensure that they were not marginalised.

“They have contributed a lot and we are grateful to them. We still need the help of the government and the private sector, especially in looking after the welfare of our senior citizens and single mothers,” he added.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Norshazlina Nor’azman

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