About 1,000 expected at DRT’s Dayak National Conference

KUCHING: Some 1,000 people are expected at the Dayak National Conference to be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) on Sept 17.

Organised by Dayak Round Table ( DRT), a Dayak interests group, the conference themed ‘Forging Dayak Political and Economic Convergence’ aims to provide a channel for Dayak experts to share their ideas and opinions on Dayak political roadmap, economic issues and native customary rights ( NCR) land development model in the current political scenario, according to DRT advisor Dr Dusit Jaul.

It also shows the Dayak grassroots capability to rise to the occasion, adapt, empower and encourage change in the community.

“The conference will result with resolutions to be forwarded to both the federal and Sarawak governments. Similar conference for other major towns are in the pipeline to deliberate on other issues relevant to Dayaks under current political scenario.

“This conference has received overwhelming response from Dayaks and the organiser expects full crowd to turn up for this free seminar,” he said.

Three papers to be presented include ‘ Unemployment Among Natives of Sabah and Sarawak’ by Dr James Alin from University Malaysia Sabah ( UMS).

Prof Dr Dimbab Ngidang will present ‘Political Economy of NCR Land Development’ while Assoc Prof Dr Ricardo Baba from Xiamen University will present a paper on ‘ Malaysia Baru and the Dayak Agenda: Are We Seeing Light at the End of the Tunnel?’

“Booths will be set up for display and sales of various Dayak based products on the sideline. There will also be a brief slide presentation on current issues confronting the Dayak communities,” added Dusit.