Works on the project started on Oct 1, 2008, and it is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
But before they are resettled, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), which is the developer of the dam, has given the Penans and the Badengs a sense of belonging and comradeship by organising the carnival.
According to SEB officers who organised the 2-day event beginning on Dec 6, the primary objectives of the carnival were to bring together those who are affected by the HEP project so that they would be accustomed with their neighbours whom they had not come into contact with; give them the opportunity to discover a more settled lives, and to keep unity among them intact.
Assistant Minister of Native Adat and Penan Affairs Datuk John Sikie Tayai, who officiated at the event, said the carnival might be held at the resettlement areas in Metalun and Tegulang in future.
Among the activities and sporting events were football, Penan wrestling, arm wrestling, boat racing, blowpipe competition, ‘ngajat’, tug-of-war, motorcycles’ slow race and karaoke competition.
The highlight of the carnival was a beauty contest. It was won by Dora Gurka, with Mentili Tujok as first runner-up and Angela Lahoi as second runner-up.
Belaga assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Culture and Heritage Liwan Lagang in his speech, said the ‘ritual compensation’ or ‘penti pemali kubur’ had been paid in full.
The government recently disbursed some RM4.3 million in compensation to the community as ‘penti pemali kubur’.
He assured that the government would look into their other claims seriously.
Liwan urged them to adopt a cooperative stance rather than a confrontational one as it was easier to solve problems that way.
More than 1,000 Penans from nearby villages converged on the two-day festival. Meanwhile, Wilson Ugak Kumbong, PRS nominated candidate for Hulu Rajang in the impending general election, assured the people that he would do more to transform their communities if he were to be their MP in future.
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/12/11/first-and-last-pesta-penan-murum-leaves-indelible-mark/#ixzz2EkXiXo7su
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