Latest news with #Murum
Borneo Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Assemblymen support more seats for fairer representation
Chukpai (left) and Chieng debating the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly today. – Penerangan photo KUCHING (July 7): Increasing the number of seats in the State Legislative Assembly is essential to strengthening rural representation and keeping pace with the state's growing electorate, said Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon. Debating the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025, Chukpai said the proposed increase from 82 to 99 elected members would help correct long-standing imbalances between urban and rural constituencies. 'Historically, rural communities have struggled to have their voices heard. By expanding the assembly, we can close that gap and enable more equitable development across the state,' he said. Chukpai pointed out that many rural areas remain vast, isolated, and underrepresented despite being rich in natural resources and cultural heritage. He said expanding the assembly would provide a clearer platform for local issues to reach the legislative floor. 'More representatives mean better access for remote communities to the policy-making process. This leads to more grounded, community-focused development—something we've long needed in interior areas,' he added. Chukpai also highlighted how national policy reforms, such as lowering the voting age to 18 and implementing automatic voter registration, have significantly expanded and rejuvenated Sarawak's electorate. 'This growing voter base necessitates a corresponding increase in elected representatives to truly reflect the people's will,' he said. He added that the new composition would help strike a healthier balance in representation, avoiding a concentration of influence in urban centres and ensuring resources are distributed more equitably. 'This is not just about numbers; it's about ensuring every Sarawakian, regardless of geography or age, is fairly represented. That's the spirit of democracy,' he said. Echoing similar views, Bukit Assek assemblyman Chieng Jin Ek described the Bill as 'timely and necessary,' adding that the legislature must evolve in tandem with the state's fast-changing population landscape. 'This Bill answers a basic democratic principle: representation must grow alongside the population,' he said. Chieng noted that Sarawak's voter base had surged by nearly 60 per cent following the implementation of Undi18 and automatic voter registration from 1.25 million in 2021 to over two million as of January this year. 'With such a massive increase in voters, maintaining the current 82-seat configuration will dilute the effectiveness of representation, especially in rapidly urbanising or vast rural constituencies,' he said. He also pointed out that many assemblymen are now overstretched due to constituency size and growing demands. 'When one ADUN has to cover tens of thousands of voters across scattered areas, it becomes harder to engage meaningfully with every community,' he said, adding that the proposed increase would help ensure more efficient and people-centric service delivery. Chieng said the move to expand the assembly also reflects the realities of development in Sarawak, where growth is no longer confined to urban centres. 'Development without representation risks being uneven and unsustainable,' he said.
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
In appealing for dialysis centre, rep details monthly trials of Murum's kidney patients
Chukpai said Murum patients requiring dialysis three times a week in Bintulu are paying around RM2,400 a month. — Bernama photo KUCHING (May 23): Murum kidney patients are forced to travel up to three times a week for dialysis in Bintulu, Miri, or Kapit, said Kennedy Chukpai Ugon (GPS-Murum). In his motion of appreciation on the Head of State's address in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today, Chukpai appealed for a haemodialysis centre to be immediately established at the Sungai Asap Health Clinic. 'These patients must travel back and forth from Sungai Asap to Bintulu, incurring estimated transportation, food, and/other costs of RM200 per trip due to the lack of accommodation in Bintulu. 'Imagine this, three times a week amounts to RM2,400 a month just to access dialysis treatment. This situation places a heavy financial and time burden on the patients and their families,' he said. He also appealed for the construction of new health clinics in Long Urun, Metalun, Tegulang, Ulu Linau, and Ulu Jelalong to enhance access to healthcare services within these communities. Chukpai also proposed a National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) office be established in the Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme to address escalating cases of drug abuse. 'The enforcement agencies and grassroots communities can collaborate in an integrated, active, and comprehensive manner to tackle the issue of drug abuse and eradicate the threat of drugs — the nation's number one enemy,' he said. On infrastructure, he called on relevant ministries to consider relocating Tubau Health Clinic, which is frequently incapacitated by flooding during the monsoon season, thereby impeding the provision of healthcare services. 'This situation makes it very difficult for the clinic's staff to provide healthcare services to the community, especially during floods,' he said. He further urged the relocation of flood-prone schools such as SK Bukit Balai Tubau and SK Kuala Kebulu Jelalong. 'In addition, there is an urgent need to repair and upgrade dilapidated rural schools in N66 Murum, such as SK Long Urun and SK Lusong Laku, to ensure they are safe, comfortable, and conducive for our students and the educators serving in these schools,' he added. dialysis haemodialysis centre Kennedy Chukpai Ugon lead Murum
Borneo Post
27-04-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Traditional dishes hold significant economic value, says assemblyman
Chukpai (centre) and his wife Cyntia Serah Emang, on his left, help themselves to the local dishes on display at one of the booths. SUNGAI ASAP (April 27): Many traditional dishes hold significant economic value. In stating this, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon commended the organiser of a food festival for highlighting Sarawak's culinary heritage through this platform. He made these remarks while officiating at the 'Kenyah Uma Baha Traditional Food Festival' at Lamin Adet Bangen Kimet Hall, in Uma Baha Apau Koyan, last Saturday. 'Congratulations to the women's bureau of the Uma Baha Apau Koyan, its JKKK (village security and development committee) and all those involved in hosting this trailblazing festival. 'The festival aims to celebrate and safeguard the culinary heritage of the Kenyah community, particularly the Uma Baha ethnic group, ensuring that traditional dishes are preserved and passed down to younger generations. 'It also serves as a tribute to and a preservation effort for the recipes created by our ancestors,' said Chukpai. He also hoped that the event would inspire women, and also the younger generation, to confidently showcase traditional dishes, emphasising their unique flavours and cultural significance. Among those present at the event local community leader Pemanca Tony Kulleh, organising chairperson Christina Lep Apui, Uma Baha Apau Koyan women's bureau chief Linda Tuban, as well as local councillors and representatives from Sarawak Energy Berhad (Bakun HEP). food festival Kennedy Chukpai Ugon lead traditional food
