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The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Sarawak celebrates ethnic harmony at 2025 Unity Week
SIBU: The Sarawak government continues to champion community development while fostering unity among its diverse ethnic groups. Ngemah state assemblyman Anyi Jana emphasised that Sarawak is home to over 43 ethnicities, including Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Malay, Melanau, Chinese, and Penan communities. Each group maintains unique traditions, attire, cuisine, and beliefs, with places of worship coexisting peacefully in both urban and rural areas. 'This reflects the acceptance, tolerance, and mutual respect among Sarawakians,' said Jana during his speech at the 2025 Sarawak Unity Week (SMP) opening at Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang Square. The event was officiated by Deputy Minister of National Unity Senator Saraswathy Kandasami, representing Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang. Also present were ministry secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid and State National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN) director Diwarna Azool. Saraswathy praised the theme 'Harmony in Diversity,' calling it fitting for Sarawak's multicultural society. 'Harmony here means peaceful coexistence among different backgrounds. The state's diversity includes Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and traditional beliefs,' she said. She highlighted practices like gotong-royong, longhouse living, and shared celebrations of Gawai, Hari Raya, Christmas, and Chinese New Year as proof of solidarity. 'Harmony in Sarawak is a lived reality, not just a slogan. People here embrace tolerance and collaboration beyond race or religion,' she added. - Bernama
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
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
