Teng: turn handicraft-making into source of extra income

suppadmin | December 12, 2017

The women in Sarikei longhouses were urged to turn their skilled handicraft making into a source of extra income to supplement their family needs.

Political secretary to chief minister Teng Ung Woo made this call when he represented Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing to present minor rural project (MRP) grants to village security and development committees (JKKKs) of Meradong constituency at the Rumah Lias in Ulu Stras near recently.

He said the longhouse folk are known for their skills in making handicrafts such as mats, baskets, clothes and other household items and even though most people prefer to use cheaper plastic kitchenware, this does not mean that handicraft items made from rattan or other materials procured from the jungle are no longer needed.

Teng pointed out that the native handicrafts can fetch high prices when sold as ornaments – foreign tourists would buy them as souvenirs.

He and fellow political secretary to chief minister Daniel Bujal, who was also present at the function, had the opportunity to see some of the handicraft items made by the longhouse womenfolk.

A total of 24 longhouse JKKKs in Meradong received grants to finance their activities.