Report on new concept of longhouse for 10MP, says Abang Johari

KUCHING: Housing and Urban Development Ministry, in collaboration with Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak, will prepare a report for the State executive council on the new concept of longhouse development in Sarawak.

Its Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the report, to be included in the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP), would comprise the implementation of modern longhouse development especially in terms of concept and design, security, insurance coverage and issues pertaining to land titles.

"We will seek advice from the Dayak community heads pertaining to the strata titles.

"If possible, we want the houses to be owned individually, instead of owned solely by the 'tuai' or the longhouse chiefs," he told reporters here on April 5. He said the new longhouse concept would emphasise on traditional arts and cultural elements of the people of Sarawak like maintaining the "ruai" area which was deemed compulsory in every longhouse design.

Also underlined in the new concept were the use of safer building materials especially in preventing fire and providing comfort to the longhouse occupants.

Abang Johari said a seminar to discuss the new concept would be held by the ministry and Azam in Kuching, Sibu and Miri this month, which would see participation from 300 bumiputera community leaders in Sarawak.

Earlier, Abang Johari received a courtesy call by Azerbaijan Ambassador to Malaysia Tahir Karimov, here.

He said the republic had expressed interest on the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score).

"Azerbaijan, which is rich in oil and gas reserves, also has high expertise in the management of energy sources," he said. The ambassador is on a four-day visit to Sarawak. -- Bernama