KAPIT: A Penan family from Long Unai, Belaga that has been stranded here since last April has caught the attention of Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Touched by their plight, he gave a personal donation of RM1,000 to meet the family’s immediate needs such as food and lodging at Rumah Temui where the mother, Tagun, is awaiting her next medical appointment scheduled for Tuesday, July 21 at Beletih Polyclinic.

Last Monday, Taib banked in the money into the account of Kapit Division Resident, Dahim Nadot, who in turn handed it over to the family at 3:30pm the same day.

The aid was received by Tagun who gave birth to a ‘borderline premature’ girl two weeks ago. The baby has been named Serau Nadun (Nadun being the father).

Dahim was accompanied during the visit by (among others) assistant director of Kapit Social and Welfare Department Jantai Maseng; administrative officer in-charge of social development at Kapit Resident Office, Yii See Yong; and Kapit Kemas officer Ambrose Abong.

An unidentified Penan girl served as their interpreter.

Since the plight of the family was first highlighted in The Borneo Post last Saturday, many inquiries about them came from people from various places including Miri and even a Briton from London.

In response, Rando Club of Kapit Resident’s Office has set up a special account specifically to handle donations from the general public for the family.

To date, the response is encouraging as aid has been coming from the public as well as local elected political representatives.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Economic Planning) Larry Sng who is also the Assistant Minister of Industrial Development (Planning) was among the first to respond. He donated RM100.

Among the others are Kapit Member of Parliament Alexander Nanta Linggi who gave RM300, Kapitan Micky Ngu Kong Siong – RM100, Twin Star Fashion RM100, Rando Club – RM150, Buddhist Association – RM150, Kwang Tung Association – RM150, Che Quan Khor Moral Uplifting Society – RM300.

All in all, to date, RM2,350 in donations has been received.

Che Quan Khor Moral Uplifting Society has donated RM100 worth of food.

When Sng visited the family, he was accompanied by Yii; treasurer of Pelagus Welfare Club, Ma Tian Ho (who is also the chairman of Kapit Coffee Shop and Restaurant Owner’s Association – KCROA); Tuai Rumah Jack Bidai; and an exco member of SPDP Pelagus Division, William Daud.

In addition, Welfare Department assistant director Jantai Maseng confirmed that the family has been given RM250 a month in food aid since last April. This aid is extended until the family returns home. The family’s home passage will be borne by the Welfare Department.

Through the interpreter, it was learnt that Tagun (who claimed herself to be in her forties) has a birth certificate but no MyKad like many other Penans in the interior.

Since her marriage to Nadun, she has delivered 11 children, of which only seven survived.

The children are Cela — 25 years old, Bawin —17, Bit — 15, Ngon — 10, Tili — 8, Jon — 2, and Serau — two weeks old.

Cela, Bawin, Bit and Ngon were left in Long Unai with their relatives when the rest of the family went down to Kapit.

It was not clear whether any of the children attend school as the nearest school to Long Unai is at Long Busang, which is a day’s journey away.

Tagun was referred by Long Busang rural clinic to Kapit Hospital last April because of complication with her pregnancy.

The family brought with them several rattan mattresses, handicrafts, home grown rice and preserved food.

The rattan mats were sold to pay for lodging (RM8 a night at Rumah Temui) and other expenses.

Eventually they finished off everything and had no money for food. They can’t just go back to Long Unai because of Tagun’s next appointment.

Those who wish to help them can call Kapit Resident’s Office at Level 9, Beletih State complex on 084-796242 or 0198858497. Closed cheques sent to Kelab Rando must bear the donor’s name and contact address.