Food for thought as Dayak groups mull farming for more spending power
MIRI: Dayak-based organisations in the state are looking forward to a better year ahead, with more Dayaks on aggressive footing to venture into the food industry and modern agriculture.
Dayak Think-Tank Group (DTTG) founder Wellie Henry Majang believed this stance would improve the economic status of the Dayaks.
“And may also contribute towards a merrier celebration of Christmas as (by) then, the Dayaks would have more buying power,” he told thesundaypost yesterday.
Wellie hoped the eagerness to venture into agricultural activities would gradually lead Dayak leaders to create a platform for more Dayak participation in the food and beverage industries, as well as in smart farming.
On another matter, although it was a huge setback in the latest Federal Court ruling on NCR rights which disregards ‘pemakai menoa’ (territorial domain) and ‘pulau galau’ (forest reserves) in force of law, he said the Dayaks should not lose sight but strive for the rights of their land as the law process is still ongoing.
“Keep our continuous effort to cultivate our inherited land in a wise manner to make them a source of good household income,” Pedas president captain Muhd Collin Imran said.
Pedas or Sarawak Dayak Association (Pedas) is a Dayakbased NGO while DTTG is a Dayak WhatsApp group with members comprising Dayak professionals and intellectuals across the country.
Collin suggested that a proper recognition of native land by the authorities, which was strongly supported by Dayak leaders, would ensure continued growth of Dayak’s progress in many types of economic activities.
In view of the uncertain economic situation with the drastic fall in ringgit value, Wellie and Collin reminded Dayaks to celebrate Christmas Day today (Dec 25) in a moderate way.
“Take the opportunity during the celebration to visit relatives and friends to enhance friendship and harmony, not only among the Dayaks but among other races to foster better understanding and for mutual respect,” both Wellie and Collin advised.
They extended festive greetings to all the Dayaks throughout Borneo and Malaysia.