Latest news with #Anyi
The Star
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Increase in state seats vital to improve service delivery, say S'wak backbenchers
KUCHING: Sarawak's vast size and growing population require an increase in the number of elected representatives for improved service delivery, say Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) backbenchers. Anyi Jana (GPS-Ngemah) said the Kanowit district, where his constituency is located, is larger than Melaka or Penang but represented by only two assemblymen and one Member of Parliament. "Both Ngemah and Machan, which are in the Kanowit parliamentary constituency, cover a total area of 2,253sq km, compared to Melaka (1,658sq km) and Penang (1,033sq km). "Yet Melaka is represented by 28 state assemblymen and six MPs while Penang has 40 state assemblymen and 13 MPs," he said. As such, Anyi said, it was timely to increase the number of assemblymen in Sarawak to represent the people's growing voices. "This will also ensure better administration and oversight in each state constituency," he said when debating in support of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 on Monday (July 7). ALSO READ: Sarawak to increase state seats from 82 to 99 The Bill, tabled by state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at a special one-day sitting of the legislative assembly, seeks to increase the number of assemblymen by 17 from the current 82 to 99. Wilson Nyabong (GPS-Pelagus) said many rural constituencies in Sarawak were vast and logistically challenging. "One assemblyman may have to traverse rivers, hills and forests to reach multiple longhouses, villages and subdistricts, all within a single constituency. "With the increase in population and complexity of local governance, it is only fair that we create more seats to ensure every Sarawakian, especially in remote and rural areas, is adequately represented," he said. Yakub Arbi (GPS-Balingian) said Sarawak's population was growing steadily, with approximately 40,000 students finishing Form Five every year and set to become voters when they turn 18 the following year. "Without timely redelineation, these newly eligible voters will further congest constituencies that are already overburdened. "The proposed increase in seats will help distribute representation more evenly," he said. Opposition leader Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan), however, opposed the Bill, saying that the ratio of assemblymen to Sarawak's population and land mass did not justify the increase in seats when compared to other Commonwealth countries. With a population of 2.8 million as of last year and a land area of 124,450 sq km, he said, the proposed increase would mean a ratio of one assemblyman serving 28,000 people and an area of 1,517sq km. In comparison, he said the ratio in several Australian states ranged from one assemblyman serving between 38,000 and 90,000 people, while in three Canadian provinces the ratio was one assemblyman serving between 72,000 and 129,000 people. "These are the statistics of other Commonwealth countries. I believe our assemblymen are on par with, if not better than, theirs. "Why is there a need to increase the number of members?" Chong said, adding that the proposed increase would also involve financial costs in salaries and allowances.
Borneo Post
29-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Ngemah rep calls for unity among multi-racial communities
Anyi (left) and Nyabong (right) join the longhouse residents in performing the traditional 'gendang pampat'. – UKAS photo KANOWIT (June 30): Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana has called on the multi-racial communities to strengthen unity in order to ensure lasting harmony and community well-being. He emphasised that this can be achieved through collaborative programmes such as the 'ngiling bidai' initiative, which involves cooperation between the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) and relevant government agencies. 'Like sticks tied together, stronger and not easily broken – that is the symbol of unity that needs to be nurtured and instilled in the community,' said Anyi, as quoted in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) report during the ngiling bidai ceremony. The event was jointly organised by the Bukit Sepali Madani Community and the Nanga Ngungun Zone 1 Neighbourhood Area Committee (KRT), held at Rumah Taboh Rimau in Nanga Ngungun here on Friday. Hosted by village chief Tuai Rumah Taboh, the ceremony was also attended by Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang. Anyi stressed that such programmes must be supported by all parties, regardless of race or religion, to foster the values of tolerance and a shared sense of belonging within the community. During the event, Anyi announced a RM5,000 Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant to the Bukit Sepali Madani Community and the Nanga Ngungun Zone 1 KRT. He also allocated an additional RM7,000 to Rumah Taboh JKKK for their annual activities. anyi jana lead multi-racial communities Ngiling Bidai
Borneo Post
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Baram MP urges parents to ensure children complete tertiary education
Anyi (front row, fifth left) cuts the ribbon to symbolically launch PKLA's Family Day event at the Miri City Council field, Jalan Padang, on Saturday. Also seen are Boyce (fourth left), Raymond (sixth left) and other distinguished guests. MIRI (June 29): Parents must play a proactive role in ensuring their children complete their education up to tertiary level for a better future, said Baram MP Datuk Anyi Ngau. He stressed that parents should not simply give in to their children's wishes if they choose to drop out of school, but instead guide and encourage them to stay the course. 'There were instances where I met parents who said their children no longer wanted to attend school, and they just followed what the children wanted. 'Parents must take the lead. They must ensure their children continue their studies and, if possible, go on to obtain a degree,' he said when officiating the Kenyah Lepo Aga Miri Association's (PKLA) Family Day at the Miri City Council field here yesterday. Anyi pointed out that, unlike the past, there are now many educational opportunities made available by the government, especially the Sarawak government, including free tertiary education for Sarawakian students, which will start next year. 'Today's parents are in a much better position. There are more opportunities and awareness of the importance of education. It is up to us to make sure our children make the most of what is available,' he said. He therefore called on all parents to seize the opportunities and encourage their children to pursue education to at least degree level. At the same time, Anyi touched on the importance of community associations in safeguarding the welfare of their members, including supporting the educational pursuits of their children. 'In the past few weeks, I have attended programmes organised by various associations that gave incentives to children who performed well in school. 'I hope the PKLA can follow this example and consider giving incentives to outstanding students among its members as encouragement and motivation,' he said. Regarding the family day event, Anyi described the programme as a good initiative to be held annually as it helps strengthen unity and solidarity among members. 'It is not only a platform to foster closer ties among members but also serves to bring together the wider Kenyah Lepo Aga community. 'The association should strive for consistency by making this an annual event to preserve our culture and collective spirit,' he said. Anyi also commended the organising committee led by Long Selawan this year for successfully gathering members from four Lepo Aga villages — Long Jeeh, Long Selawan, Long Silat and Long Teran Kanan B — for the event. Approximately 1,000 members attended the one-day programme. During the event, Anyi announced a RM15,000 grant for the organising committee as a show of support for the annual gathering. Among those present were organising chairman Boyce Ngau Anyi and PKLA chairman Cr Raymond Apoi. anyi ngau Kenyah Lepo Aga Miri Association's Family Day lead
Borneo Post
09-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Champion education in longhouses, educated Ibans urged
Anyi receives a traditional Iban attire as a memento from the longhouse chieftain (fourth right). SIBU (June 9): Successful and educated members of the Iban community must take the lead in uplifting education standards in their longhouse communities, said Anyi Jana. The Ngemah assemblyman said their achievements should serve as a source of inspiration, particularly to rural students who often face greater educational challenges. He emphasised that those who have succeeded academically should not forget their roots but to give back to the society. 'Parents also play an important role in shaping their children's future,' Anyi said in his speech at a meet-the-people gathering at Rumah Gani Mahi in Kabah, Kanowit on Saturday. He further highlighted that various educational aid schemes have been made available by the state government to assist Sarawak students, particularly those in rural areas. Adding a personal touch, Anyi said he had launched his own initiative to offer incentives to students who perform well in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations. 'This is meant to encourage our children to aim higher and do well in public examinations,' he said. He said students pursuing higher education, including diplomas and degrees, are also being supported through the initiative. Among those present at the event were Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Ngemah deputy chairman Ramba Resang and PRS Ngemah Youth chief Councillor Stenny Willis. anyi jana education Iban community lead
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Review KMKK allowances, tighten appointment criteria for more effective governance, says Ngemah rep
Anyi says that KMKKs are no longer merely village administrators but have become frontline figures in local governance. KUCHING (May 22): The Sarawak government must strengthen the institution of community leaders and village heads (KMKKs) by reviewing their allowances and tightening appointment criteria to reflect their expanding duties, said Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana. Speaking during the Motion of Appreciation on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today, he highlighted that KMKKs are no longer merely village administrators but have become frontline figures in local governance. 'The duties of KMKKs today are no longer limited to their own villages or longhouses. They are now burdened with complex administrative responsibilities that require commitment, time, and often personal sacrifice,' he said. As such, he proposed increasing the monthly allowance for Ketua Kaum from RM900 to at least RM1,200, and Penghulu from RM1,200 to RM1,500. 'The current allowances are no longer realistic, especially in view of the economic situation and the scope of their work. A revision is long overdue,' he added. Anyi also urged the state government to re-evaluate the workload placed on Penghulu, some of whom he said are managing over 60 villages or longhouses within their jurisdiction. 'No single person can effectively oversee such a wide area. We should consider limiting the number to 20 or 30 villages at most to ensure more effective governance,' he said. He further highlighted issues with the appointment of Tuai Rumah, noting that in Ngemah alone, there are at least five individuals managing more than 20 'pintu' (household units) without official appointment certificates. 'One Tuai Rumah has served for over 10 years and fulfilled all the criteria, yet still has no certificate. This is not right—those who meet the requirements must be officially recognised.' Furthermore, Anyi also called for greater flexibility in the inheritance of shotguns, which he described as ancestral heirlooms deeply rooted in Dayak tradition. 'Under current rules, shotguns can only be passed down from parent to child, provided the heir passes security and health screenings. But what happens if the head of the family has no children?' he questioned. He proposed that the law be amended to allow inheritance by siblings, both male and female, if no direct descendants are available. 'This would prevent disputes over ownership of these heirlooms and reflect the realities faced by Dayak families,' he said, adding that the state government should also consider reinstating the carry and use permit to further legitimise and regulate shotgun use among rightful inheritors. anyi jana community leaders DUN KMKK village heads
