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Soul City
Rh. Jilap
anak Taji
in Pakan
Sarikei is one
A shining
of Sarawak’s
success
prides
In Sarawak, very often we
hear of longhouses being left
behind with just elderly people
as the young migrated in search of
work outside. With better education
and opportunities, the young people
would leave their ethnic longhouses
for the bright lights of cities so it is a
surprise that Rh. Jilap anak Taji, 6 th mile,
Engkamop Road in Pakan, a traditional
Iban longhouse, is getting bigger and
prosperous at the same time! The
secret to their success comes from the
cooperation with the various agencies
like Ministry of Social Development
Sarawak, Resident’s and District Office,
Sarikei, Agricultural Department, FAMA
and Saberkas.
When the longhouse started in 1960,
there were just 80 inhabitants in the 16
bilik (door) stretch whereas today, it has
doubled to 38 doors with 161 residents
who are amongst the most industrious
in the district. Mainly farmers who
deliver fresh vegetables to the nearby
towns of Bintangor, Sarikei and Sibu,
they have found a niche in the supply
business and have also supplemented
with fresh fish grown in their ponds.
The more educated residents are also
part of the civil service, staff of private
companies and self-employed like
canteen operator, car rental services
and offshore workers.
“With foresight and assistance from
the government, the residents can each
earn between RM3000 to RM7000
monthly from their farming activities,”
said Resident of Sarikei, Michael Dawi.
“They have secured contracts to deliver
fresh vegetables to wholesalers and
buyers and farming using the nettings
ensured that heavy rain, insects and
other disturbances do not affect their
crops. The various individuals also rear
fish, which adds to their wealth and
prosperity. We are happy for them and
we hope that many others will look at
them as role models to further develop
their land around their longhouses for
farming. I am certain that our Federal,
State elected representatives and
all related agencies will continue to
provide the necessary assistance to all
those who decide to develop their own
farms or estates. In this manner, they
can rest assured that they will be able
to participate actively in the SCORE
Development, particularly in Tanjung
Manis Halal Hub sectors,” he added.
Apart from the economic success
of the longhouse, the other success
comes from their young students
where 11 are Degree holders,
7 Diploma holders and 3 others
having completed Sixth Form. Other
accomplishments of Rh. Jilap anak
Taji are coming first in the Saberkas
agricultural competition in 1996 as
well as 2011 ADC winner of the Sarikei
Divisional competition. Certainly, this
longhouse is a shining example of the
possibilities if the residents are willing
to put in the effort to make farming
a livelihood and industry, as there are
available government agencies to assist
them along the way with expertise in
every area.
For further information, please contact Sarikei Resident’s Office, 10 th Floor, Wisma Jubli
Mutiara, Jalan Bersatu, 96100 Sarikei, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: +6084 651963 Fax: +6084 653204
www.sarikeiro.sarawak.gov.my
Apr-Jun2012BorneoTalk | 15