About 200 Dayaks attend devt agenda forum
MIRI: About 200 members of the Dayak community here gathered at Pullman Hotel yesterday for a one-day Dayak Development Agenda Forum organised by six Dayak-based non-government organisations.
They were Pemansang Dayak, Dayak National Congress, Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association, Dayak Sarawak Organisation, Terabai Menua, and Dayak Transformation Organisation.
Speaking at the launching ceremony yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun praised the organisers for coming together and creating a platform for the Dayaks to voice their concerns.
He also reminded them to use the forum to help their community develop by touching only on matters that will contribute to their development.
“I know all of you have different political views and are from various Dayak-based organisations, but today you have come here to seek ways to better your community. I must say it is also good that you all have your diferent views, as you can share them at the forum,” he said.
He added that collaboration among all Dayak-based organisations is vital as it shows the Dayaks can unite for a good cause, especially when it comes to their welfare, and wanting their voices heard.
Meanwhile, the event organising chairman and president of Pemansang Dayak, Baba Emperan, said the forum discussed various issues concerning the Dayaks such as business, education, healthcare, rural development, socioeconomy, culture, art and land, among others.
“Among objectives of the forum is to explore ways and means to enhance Dayaks’ participation in business and to uplift their education standard,” he said.
The speakers were Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian, Joseph Ninting from Dayak Transformation Organisation, president of Sarawak Dayak Association (Pedas) Captain (rtd) Collin Imran, president of Sarawak Dayak Graduates Dr Dusit Jaul, president of Dayak National Congress Paul Raja and NCR land activist Nicholas Bawin.