No more ‘lain-lain’ in forms

Federal government cancels controversial column that classifies Sarawak Bumiputera as ‘others’ in race section of official forms

KAPIT: There will be no more ‘lain-lain’ column in the race section of government forms to indicate the race of Bumiputera in Sarawak.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said yesterday the federal government had acceded to a request by the state government to eliminate the words ‘lain-lain’ in the race column in official forms.

“In government forms, there will be Bumiputera Iban, Bumiputera Bidayuh and Bumiputera Orang Ulu.

“We are human beings and citizens of Malaysia. As Sarawakians, we share equal status as other Malaysians.

“The Bumiputeras of Sarawak are not ‘lain-lain’. If you still see the words in old forms, just cancel it and write down your race because you have your own identity, culture and tradition,” he said at a meet-the-people session at the Kapit Civic Centre.

At the same function, Adenan presented grants totalling RM9.094 million to compensate 336 landowners affected by the Nanga Yong/Song Road project.

The chief minister also distributed RM1.018 million to 88 Village Security and Development Committees (JKKKs) in Pelagus constituency and land gazettes to four longhouses: Rumah Pasang Tuba at Nanga Ensilai in Batang Rajang, Rumah Undi Manggil at Nanga Selindong in Batang Rajang, Rumah Baja Rawing at Nanga Nyikau in Batang Rajang, and Rumah Ukan Sibat at Nanga Sekukut in Sungai Yong.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Katibas assemblyman Datuk Ambrose Blikau and Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong were present at the function.

On the 11th state election, Adenan told those present to reject extremist parties from the peninsula.

He said only Sarawakians know Sarawak and how they could continue to live in peace and harmony and respect one another.

He also assured the people that he would give his utmost in serving the state as the chief minister of every Sarawakian.

“My title is the chief minister of Sarawak. Not the chief minister of the Malays, Ibans or whatever,” he said.

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