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Bukit Assek rep seeks new Dayak community leader posts for Sentosa
(From fourth left) Joseph, Stanley, Paing, Chieng (right) and others posing during the the 'Ngiling Bidai' Gawai Dayak for Sentosa, Bukit Penyau and Nanga Salim areas. – Photo by Peter Boon
SIBU (June 15): Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng has formally requested two additional Dayak community leader posts for zones 1 and 2 in the Sentosa area here from the Sarawak government.
Chieng said this move aims to further strengthen coordination and services for the community.
'I hope we will receive good news soon,' he said when speaking at the 'Ngiling Bidai' Gawai Dayak for Sentosa, Bukit Penyau and Nanga Salim areas at a local restaurant here last night.
The event was jointly hosted by N51 Bukit Assek Service Centre and Persatuan Peminat Adat Main Asal Salim Bukit Penyau Sibu.
Reaffirming his commitment to the community, Chieng pledged to continue championing the 'Program Baik Pulih Rumah' (PPRMS) to help more residents improve their homes.
He acknowledged that beyond infrastructure development, greater aid and attention are necessary for the community.
'I will continue to fight for increased resources from the Sarawak government to ensure that no one is left behind or neglected,' he added.
However, Chieng also expressed concerns that the reviewed and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST), set to take effect on July 1, will continue to impact the daily expenses of low- and middle-income households.
'Although the government emphasises that only non-essential goods and services will be taxed, we are all aware that in the face of rising living costs and continuous subsidy cuts, this new policy will still impact the daily spending of the low- and middle-income groups.'
Chieng commended the Sarawak government for recognising the people's hardship and the rising cost of living.
'The Sarawak government has not remained idle—it has introduced various forms of assistance to ease the burden on the people,' he said.
He cited the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS), Sarawak Senior Health Benefits (SCHB), and the yearly RM1,200 pocket money allowance for Sarawakian students attending higher education institutions nationwide as examples of the state's initiatives to alleviate financial burden.
'These initiatives prove that the state government is truly concerned and constantly striving to ensure that no Sarawakian is left behind,' he said.
Also in attendance were political secretary to Premier Willam Anut, Temenggong Stanley Geramong, Pemanca Paing Tawi, SUPP Bukit Assek chairman Datuk Chieng Buong Toon, and SUPP Nangka chairman Chua Beng Seng. community leaders Dayak joseph chieng lead Sentosa
