KAPIT: Galong Luang acknowledges the tough task ahead of him upon becoming the 18th Kapit Resident, but he remains committed to such undertaking and wants to contribute further to the division’s progress.

Officially appointed on Dec 1 this year, the 51-year-old native of Rumah Niga at Sungai Nyiro in Tinjar, Ulu Baram took over the position from Nyurak Keti, who is now the Bintulu Resident.

When asked about the appointment, Galong said he fully accepted the responsibility and vowed to do his best.

“This is a heavy task. I am now responsible to administer Kapit Division, and to supervise the infrastructure, amenity and socioeconomic development projects so that their implementation would be running smoothly and according to schedule.

“Kapit covers about one-third of Sarawak, and the population density is only about five people per square kilometre and they are scattered all over.

“As of now, Kapit is facing acute shortage of manpower, especially experienced senior government officers at Grade N41 and above.

“In this regard, I appeal to all the elected people’s representatives, local heads of departments and the local councillors to work closely with me in ensuring smooth administration ahead,” he told The Borneo Post here recently.

Nonetheless, Galong said it was a bit sad that his father, Galong Banta, did not get to see his achievement today.

“My beloved father passed away on Dec 12 a year ago, because of Covid-19 infection.

“I would have loved to share my happiness with him.”

Adding on, Galong expressed his gratitude to State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi who is now the federal Works Minister; Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang who is the state Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication; Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat who is a Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department; fellow civil servants, as well as all the councillors and local community leaders for their close cooperation and inspiration throughout his previous tenure as Deputy Kapit Resident.

Galong attended SK Long Teran Kanan in Tinjar from 1978 to 1983, and entered secondary education at SMK Bakong in Baram in 1984 and later, to Kolej Tanjong Lubang in Miri (now Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, or KTDTHB) in 1987.

After that, he enrolled at the Bintulu Campus of the then-Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (the predecessor of Universiti Putra Malaysia, or UPM) in 1989, and was transferred to the Serdang Campus in Selangor in 1991. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Mathematics in 1995.

His working experience began in 1996 as temporary teacher at his alma mater, KTDTHB.

Galong had held various positions in the state civil service before his appointment as Deputy Kapit Resident in 2016, as listed in the following: research officer at the Institute of Research Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur (1997-1998); administrative officer at Limbang District Office (19982004); administrative officer of Kapit Resident’s Office (2005-2007); assistant secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development in Kuching (2008-2009); Song District Officer (2009-2013); and Deputy Resident (Development) of Betong (2013-2016).