THE Sarawak government has been urged to address the pressing issues of outdated rural resettlement schemes and improve support for community leaders serving the state’s rural communities.
Speaking during the State Legislative Assembly sitting in support of the motion of appreciation to the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Anyi Jana highlighted concerns over the 50-year-old Skim Penempatan Semula (SPS) RASCOM schemes in Nanga Jagau, Nanga Tada and Nanga Ngungun.
He pointed out that these settlements had become overcrowded and lacked the necessary infrastructure and planning to meet current demands.
“These settlements were established during a period of conflict but times have changed. With population growth, the existing infrastructure no longer suffices. There is an urgent need for land titles, expansion plans and support for sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Anyi also urged the government to increase monthly allowances for community leaders, proposing RM1,500 for penghulus and RM1,200 for tuai rumah.
He explained that some penghulus oversaw more than 60 villages, shouldering significant responsibilities that warranted better incentives and clearer jurisdictional authority.
He further appealed for the formal recognition and certification of long-serving tuai rumah who currently lacked official appointment and suggested greater flexibility in Dayak shotgun inheritance laws to allow siblings to inherit if the main heir had no children.
In addition, Anyi advocated for the relocation of three flood-prone schools, namely, SK Nanga Jagau, SK Nanga Nirok, and SK Nanga Balingiau.
He also proposed repurposing the abandoned SMK Datuk Haji Abdul Rahman Yakub (SEDAYA) into a vocational skills training centre.
“This centre could serve youth from Kanowit and neighbouring areas, providing SKM certification and equipping them with employable skills while stimulating the local economy,” he said.
