The organisation of the Premier Village Awards (Anugerah Desa Perdana) is capable of encouraging rural communities in developing their respective villages and longhouses.
Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said this during his speech at the State-level awards ceremony that was held at the Old State Legislative Assembly Building on 10 August 2017.
He added that initiatives such as this competition can also change the public mind-set on the general state of villages and longhouses, which tends to be perceived as “poor” and “left out” in terms of development.
The Premier Village Awards 2017, organised by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development Malaysia, is one of the measures undertaken to stimulate rural sustainability as an advanced and prosperous region in line with Malaysia’s vision of becoming a high income nation by 2020.
Participants are assessed based on eight (8) aspects: patriotism and independence; leadership and administration; education and training; economy and entrepreneurship; basic facilities supervision; youth empowerment; information technology and communication; as well as cleanliness, health and excitement.
For Sarawak Zone, 60 traditional villages and 50 longhouses competed under four categories – Traditional Village and Longhouse Zones 1, 2 and 3 – for prize money of RM12,000 for first place, RM10,000 for second and RM8,000 for third.
Champions from each category will then compete at the National-level awards, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur on 22 August 2017 and will be presented by the Prime Minister YAB Datuk Patinggi Abdul Najib Tun Abdul Razak.
List of winners:
Category: Traditional Village
1. Kampung Rajang, Mukah
2. Kampung Cina Sg. Tulai, Sarikei
3. Kampung Niup, Samarahan
Category: Longhouse (Zone 1)
1. Rumah Along ak Kang, Sri Aman
2. Kampung Belimbing Besi, Samarahan
Category: Longhouse (Zone 2)
1. Rumah Bengau, Ng Sut, Kapit
2. Rumah Nyuka, Sarikei
3. Rumah Lembang, Betong
Category: Longhouse (Zone 3)
1. Rumah Satu, Kuala Mendalam, Limbang
2. Rumah Majang, Bintulu
3. Rumah Michael Selengkor, Miri
