APAU KAYAN - The visit of the Deputy Governor of North Kalimantan (Kaltara), Ingkong Ala, to Nawang Baru and Long Nawang Villages, Malinau Regency, last week, felt so special.
For Ingkong, this is not just a work agenda, but returning to his hometown where he was born and raised.
With warmth, Ingkong Ala visited the homes of residents one by one. He sat down with parents, traditional leaders, and the community, chatting casually using the Dayak Kenyah language that is so familiar to residents.
"This is my hometown, this is where I was born and raised. So coming here is not like a visit, but at the same time I miss it," said Ingkong Ala.
The atmosphere was also felt when a number of elderly parents still remembered Ingkong's figure from childhood to adulthood. They greeted with full familiarity, even retelling past memories that they had once gone through together.
In the midst of the discussion, one of the residents also remembered the difficult times they had experienced together. He told how they had tried to get a loan from a cooperative, but it was unsuccessful. The story was a reminder of the challenging journey of life in the past.
Hearing the story, Ingkong Ala seemed silent for a moment, then responded with empathy. For him, the experience was part of a journey that shaped the community's resilience to this day.
"We must not forget such experiences. In fact, from there we learn to continue to fight and help each other," he said.
During his visit, Ingkong Ala also met a number of dignitaries, including Ubang Liman, Pui Balu Pasung, Mpui Pelutang Imang, the former head of Temuyat Village who is now 93 years old, and Pui Pungau Anye.
"This visit is a form of my respect for the elders who have been an important part of the local community's journey," he said.
Behind the atmosphere of family, Ingkong Ala still listens to various aspirations of the people. Starting from the need for infrastructure, health services, to education is delivered directly by the community without barriers.
"If we come directly to the residents' homes, we can better understand what they feel," he said.
For residents, the presence of Ingkong Ala is not only as the Deputy Governor, but also as a "village child" who has returned home. This closeness makes the social gathering feel warmer and more meaningful.
This visit is a reflection of the humanistic approach of the Provincial Government of North Maluku, as well as strengthening emotional relations with the border community which is an inseparable part of the life journey of an Ingkong Ala.
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