‘Apply good things from old and modern worlds’
MIRI: The key responsibility for today’s educated and successful Kayans is to uphold the good values of their culture and tradition, and ‘synthesise’ them with the good values of modern trends, thoughts and philosophies.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau highlighted this during the ‘Dau Ledoh 2017’ hosted by the Sarawak Kayan Association ( PKS) at a hotel in Bintulu on Saturday night.
The ‘Dau Ledoh’ is the harvest festival of the Kayans, much like the Gawai for the Ibans and the Bidayuhs.
Adding on, Dennis called upon fellow Kayans to continuously work towards a more united community.
“Be reminded that we are an integral part of the key components that enable the country to move forward towards its progressive nation goal.
“With a population estimated around 100,000 mostly across Ulu Baram and the Belaga basin, we must remind ourselves that we are part of the many communities
Be reminded that we are an integral part of the key components that enable the country to move forward towards its progressive nation goal.
that make this lovely country,” he said.
On PKS, of which he is the president, Dennis viewed the association as ‘a tremendous force for the Kayans, aimed at strengthening the bonds between members of the community’.
In this regard, he called upon more Kayans – especially the young ones – to register as the members of the association in their respective areas.
“A bigger association translates into a bigger voice for us to highlight our needs to the government.”
The assemblyman also advised his fellow Kayans to improve themselves by mixing well with people of other races.
“Opportunities are everywhere, including those opened by the government; still, do not expect things to come to you – you must go out and grab them.”
Over 1,000 members of the Kayan community from Bintulu, Sungai Asap, Belaga, Tubau, Kuching and Baram attended the Dau Ledoh 2017 gathering, where the opening ceremony was performed by political secretary to chief minister Angeline Umis who represented Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong at the event.
Later she announced an allocation of RM10,000 from Ugak to PKS Bintulu.
Dennis also announced an allocation worth RM10,000 under his Minor Rural Project ( MRP) grant for PKS Bintulu to run its activities.
On top of this, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon also contributed RM5,000 in MRP fund to the Bintulu branch of the association.
PKS Bintulu chairman Lohong Tajang and event organising chairman Tommy Ding Malem were among those present that night.
Dennis Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman