An elected Orang Ulu representative has warned that the indigenous community's culture will face extinction "unless concrete steps are taken to address the problem" the preference for western values over their own roots.

Barisan Nasional state assemblyperson for Telang Usan, Lihan Jok said the Orang Ulu, who represent 10 percent of Sarawak's 2.2 million population, could lose their ethnic identity in a decade or so if nothing is done to preserve their culture.

The warning comes amid, what is seen as, 'negative social changes' taking place in the community which comprises more than two dozen tribal groups including the Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut, Penan and Berawan.

These changes are more prominent among the younger generation as a result of their migration to urban areas.

The state government's move to open up large tracts of customary rights land estimated to be more than three million hectares and to establish what is known as rural growth centres is partly to forestall the rapid migration.

At present, about 60 percent of Sarawak's population resides in rural areas.

Many youths have abandoned their longhouses or kampungs for education and employment, leaving only the elderly and children behind.