N
anga Engkuah, a remote Iban village nestled deep in the upper reaches of the Katibas River in Sarawak's Song district, has recently gained attention for its distinctive character and charm.
Consisting of three longhouses—Rumah Assan Munal, Rumah Radiah Langit, and Rumah Albert Lajong—this village was chosen as the first MADANI Foster Village in Sarawak, known as the Land of the Hornbills.
Situated less than an hour from the Sarawak-Indonesia border by river and approximately 50 kilometres from the town of Song, the village is accessible only by a three-hour boat journey.
With infrastructure coverage below 50 per cent—a key selection criterion—and a population of 658, most of whom are farmers, the village was deemed a suitable candidate for the MADANI Foster Village initiative.
The Ministry of Works (KKR), under the leadership of Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is also Member of Parliament for Kapit, has been tasked with implementing the MADANI Foster Village initiative in Nanga Engkuah.
The government introduced the MADANI Foster Village programme in the 2024 Budget to combat extreme poverty and ensure that both rural and urban areas have equal access to basic infrastructure.
The government, through the Ministry of Finance, has allocated RM100 million for 42 MADANI foster villages nationwide, with RM2.5 million designated for each village. This targeted funding reflects the commitment to uplifting rural communities across the country, fostering more equitable development opportunities.
The main objective of the programme is to close the gap between rural and urban areas by providing essential facilities, especially water, electricity, roads, and broadband access.
DEVELOPMENT SCOPE
In his speech at the Letter of Acceptance Handing Ceremony for the contractor managing the Nanga Engkuah MADANI Foster Village project last August, Nanta said the development scope for the village focuses primarily on physical improvements to meet the needs of its residents.
"What is being implemented includes physical construction, such as upgrading the existing deteriorating roads and bridges. Two bridges and a cement road will be built to connect the three longhouses in the village," he said.
Additionally, 100 solar-powered streetlights will be installed along the cement road, and a transit shelter will be built at the jetty by the Katibas River to serve as a waiting area for river transport.
According to Nanta, the total cost of implementing this initiative is RM4 million. Since the allocation for the foster village project is RM2.5 million, KKR will cover the additional RM1.5 million through its ministry's budget.
A PRAYER ANSWERED
“Like a prayer answered," said Tuai Rumah Radiah, 50, when Nanga Engkuah was selected to receive the MADANI Foster Village initiative.
"We have longed for development and hope for improvements in our livelihood. Now, our dreams are becoming a reality, and our prayers have been answered with the launch of this initiative," he told Bernama.
Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (left).
The longhouse he leads is flanked by Rumah Assan and Rumah Albert. The three longhouses are separated by two small rivers and two dilapidated bridges spanning the Katibas River tributaries, connecting them.
“With the new bridges, we will feel much safer using them, especially at night. We can visit each other and carry out our usual socio-economic activities, celebrate festivals, and attend gatherings or funerals," he said.
He also noted that the solar-powered streetlights to be installed will not only illuminate the village but symbolise a beacon of hope for the future, with confidence that their well-being will be cared for by a government attentive to the people's needs.
The cement road and transit jetty shelter, he added, will undoubtedly provide convenience for the villagers.
“What we really want is a road that connects this village to the town of Song, but we understand that this isn't something that can be done quickly. So, for now, we are grateful for what we have received from the government," he said.
Tuai Rumah Assan Munal, 68, also expressed his gratitude to the government for making the village part of the MADANI Foster Village initiative, which he believes will have a significant impact on the residents.
The initiative, he said, will provide comfort to the villagers while helping to ease their daily activities and enhance their socio-economic status.
FUTURE PROSPERITY
Meanwhile, Katibas State Assemblyman Lidam Assan said the state government is building an agricultural substation in the Nanga Engkuah area to support agricultural development, benefitting not only the local residents but also all the longhouses along the Katibas River.
“Don’t think that all the development will stop at Nanga Engkuah alone, because we have planned and are implementing many initiatives for the people of Katibas. We will strengthen vegetable farming activities at the agricultural station and set up a mobile research centre for inland fisheries.
“Projects like these will also help promote ecotourism and agro-tourism. Our main objective is to boost the village economy by creating large fish farming ponds, and we will seek out ‘empurau’ fish wholesalers to bring the fish to the market place.
“Once these developments are in place, the entire community along the Katibas River will benefit from the initiatives and facilities provided," he said.
EXPANDING TO OTHER VILLAGES
If the MADANI Foster Village initiative in Nanga Engkuah proves successful, Nanta hopes it can be expanded to benefit other remote villages that lack access to development.
"If the programme continues next year or in the future, we plan to extend it to other areas, as my parliamentary constituency (Kapit) encompasses three state assembly constituencies.
"This time, we have chosen the DUN Katibas area in the Song district. If the programme continues next year, I will coordinate with the ADUNs of Bukit Goram and Pelagus to identify other suitable villages for similar initiatives," he said.
Translated by Salbiah Said
