NIAH: The modernisation of the Penan community is proof that the Barisan Nasional government practises inclusiveness, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today.
Najib said contrary to claims by certain quarters, the Penan community was well taken care of, despite their small population of just 18,000.
"Some have claimed that the Penan folk are sidelined, nomadic and backward.
"But what I'm seeing here is a group of modern people living in modern longhouses.
"This proves that the BN government practises inclusiveness... we help all communities no matter how large or small," said Najib during a meet-the-people event at Kampung Mareng Penan in Jambatan Suai here today.
He said the opposition, on the other hand, had no ability to bring progress to the people of Sarawak.
"We don't want an opposition that only knows how to talk a lot and instigate others, am I right?" he asked, receiving a resounding "yes" from the 1,000 villagers present.
He also described government handouts like Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia as very beneficial to people living in rural areas.
"The government knows that many people (in rural areas) need help, and BR1M is one the best ways to assist them," he said.
Najib, during his ten-minute speech, allocated RM1 mil to upgrade the longhouses and roads in Kampung Mareng.
He said the government would also contribute RM200,000 to the Penan community's education fund to help their children further their studies.
Present was BN candidate Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, who contesting the Kemena state seat in the coming Sarawak election on May 7.