BiSingai community holds forum on NCR
The Bidayuh BiSingai people have been in continuous occupation and practising our ‘Adat’ on our ancestral land before the arrival of the Brookes, the British colonial government and the formation of the State of Sarawak and Malaysia. We are saddened by the encroachment into our ‘Pimu’ung’ with the issuance of provisional leases to people outside our community. Our ‘Pimu’ung’ is the basis of the Bidayuh BiSingai history, ‘Adat’, culture and identity.
KUCHING: The BiSingai community on Feb 18 held a forum on native customary rights ( NCR) land to resolve a few issues as well as to inform the public how important their NCR ‘Pimu’ung’ is to the community.
The forum also aimed to compile a resolution for submission to the state government, said event organising secretary Gines Ruwia, who is also the spokesperson for the forum.
In his keynote address, Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said the BiSingai attached great value to their ‘Pimu’ung’ which their ancestors since time immemorial had protected with valour.
One of the speakers, Datuk John Tenewi Nuek, said their resolution must incorporate words describing how strongly the community attached great importance to this NCR.
He highlighted that the BiSingai still use the ‘Adat’ ( customs) of ‘Pimu’ung’ (or ‘Pemakai Menoa’ in Iban), ‘ Obut Tana Tu’an’ (‘Pulau Galau’ in Iban) and ‘Tiboii’ (‘temuda’ in Iban) or what is left of their remaining ancestral land.
“The Bidayuh BiSingai people have been in continuous
Datuk John Tenewi Nuek, speaker
occupation and practising our ‘Adat’ on our ancestral land before the arrival of the Brookes, the British colonial government and the formation of the State of Sarawak and Malaysia. We are saddened by the encroachment into our ‘ Pimu’ung’ with the issuance of provisional leases to people outside our community. Our ‘Pimu’ung’ is the basis of the Bidayuh BiSingai history, ‘Adat’, culture and identity,” Tenewi was quoted as saying.
“The area which we are demanding to be reverted back to us is relatively small particularly considering the relatively big number of Bisingai, about 17,000. This is also the only such area that the BiSingai have,” Tenewi pointed out.
He cautioned that the BiSingai will continue to fight for their just and fair rights, inside the court as well as outside.
“We strongly urge the government of Sarawak, her agents and officials and private companies to respect, acknowledge and help to preserve the Bidayuh BiSingai ‘Adat’ or customs of ‘Pimu’ung’, ‘Obut Tana Tu’an’ and ‘ Tiboii’ in and on our ancestral land. We also further urge that all provisional leases, forest timber licences and quarry licences issued on our ancestral land be adequately compensated,” said Tenewi, who is also chairman of KoSingai which organised the forum.
“We also ask for our ‘Pimu’ung’ to be recognised and have the force of law by amending the out-of-date Land Ordinance 1958 which does not keep pace with the changing times,” Tenewi stressed.
At the same function, Henry pledged a grant of RM10,000 for KoSingai (or Koperasi Singai) to carry out its activities.
On the forum proper, Gines described it as a success, taking into account the interest of people on issues discussed at hand.
“The Singai NCR Land Seminar held on Feb 18 was a great success. Initially we targeted a crowd of 200 but due to the overwhelming crowd nearing 300, our caterer had to prepare additional food free of charge much to our delight,” he said.
“The sheer number of people was reflective of the seriousness of the BiSingai on wanting to have in- depth knowledge of their rights towards their NCRs. Our ‘ Pimu’ung’ through time immemorial has been and will continue to be the basis of our history, ‘adat’, culture and identity,” he said.
“The presence of both leaders, namely YB Datuk Harry Henry Jinep and former YB Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie of ADUN N2 Tasik Biru, and Datuk John Tenewi Nuek, a renowned BiSingai personality and exMalaysian ambassador, resulted in our leaders bringing their shoulders together in defending their ‘Pimu’ung’.” he said.
Other notable persons present at the forum were KoSingai general manger Granda Aing, Bau District education officer Les Met and community leaders like Penghulu Jidokson and 12 village chiefs as well as former Public Service Commission member Kenneth Abey.
“The Bidayuh BiSingai will also take this opportunity to thank speakers who presented papers and exchanged ideas at the event, namely retired Professor Dr Ngidang Dimbab, Michael Jok, Paul Raja, John Jussem, Datuk John Tenewi Nuek, Granda Aing and Penghulu Jidokson,” Gines said.