DKTU holds its 1st anniversary dinner
MIRI: Doh Kayan ( Kayan Women’s Association) Telang Usan ( DKTU) held its 1st anniversary dinner for 500 guests at Marriott Resort & Spa here on Saturday.
The dinner marked another milestone in the year for members of the women association.
“Apart from celebrating our first anniversary, this dinner serves as a platform to recognise contribution of women from Telang Usan constituency in various economic, social and cultural fields. It also aimed at strengthening bonds between the Kayan women and women from other races,” said DKTU chairwoman Temenggong Elizabeth Deng.
Apart from celebrating our first anniversary, this dinner serves as a platform to recognise contribution of women from Telang Usan constituency in various economic, social and cultural fields. It also aimed at strengthening bonds between the Kayan women and women from other races.
“We also want to celebrate our success in organising various activities meant for the Orang Ulu community held since its establishment on Nov 11 last year, including a seminar on empowerment of women as well as economic development course and sales carnival for agro-based products. We also managed to publish our first cookbook of traditional Kayan food,” Elizabeth added.
The grand anniversary dinner themed ‘ Modern Kayan Ladies’ was graced by political secretary to the chief minister Charles Balan Seling.
At the event, Charles announced an allocations of RM20,000 from Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau for DKTU, as a sign of support for the establishment of the association.
Several awards were also presented to Kayan women who have contributed significantly in various fields including education, medical, economic and sociocultural. The recipients include retired teacher Aren Anyi; former midwife Dilly Asong Ngau; entrepreneur, designer and social activist Roselyn Long Lah; singer and composer Rosiana Urai Lah; handicraft entrepreneur Josephine Talan Laeng and the Tingang Madang dance troupe.
“These ladies have made great impact and continue to make our community proud with their involvement in activities of their choice and strive to become more successful. Hopefully, the presentation of these awards and granting of this recognition would inspire and motivate other women to emulate their successes and strive even harder,” said Elizabeth.
Elizabeth advised those who have received the awards to continue their pursuit to become role models to Kayan ladies in particular and Orang Ulu ladies in general. She told them to make themselves known not only to their community but also internationally.
“We simply cannot just stay complacent with what we have just achieved and who we have become today. We must struggle and compete with many others who have already been successful to become more successful. Become a role model and part of our community building.
“With the ability that you have, give back to your community and you will be blessed. We must be ever willing to share and inspire each other to enhance ourselves and others to strive for a better tomorrow,” she added.
Among the activities held during the anniversary dinner were traditional Kayan dance performances, fashion shows and lucky draws.
The evening ended with the rendition of Kayan songs by Rosiana Urai and the house band as well as presentation of the Lady of the Night best dressed award.
Organising chairlady Jenny Unyang Jok, Dennis’s wife Debbie Irang, Department of Agriculture Sarawak assistant director (agrobased industries and family economy division) cum DKTU deputy chairwoman Magdalene Lungan Ajang, political secretary to the chief minister Angelina Umis, Sarawak Kayan Women Association chairwoman Roselyn Lah, Cr Dominic Nyurang as well as several Kayan community leaders were among those present.
Temenggong Elizabeth Deng, DKTU chairwoman