Members urged to leverage on SDNU for economic pursuits
KUCHING: Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom has urged the union’s branches to embrace change by adding value to their social and community outreach programmes.
Branches should now look beyond the social realm to include economic activities, said Mawan who is also Pakan assemblyman.
As a former state assistant finance minister and minister in charge of several portfolios including social, urbanisation, public health and environment, he added that Dayaks can move on by using SDNU as a vehicle.
SDNU, he said, has proven to be a uniting factor among members who may come from various political backgrounds.
“SDNU is just like a church. You do not ask each other which party you are from in church. And the same applies to SDNU. But now use your big number in SDNU and respective branches as leverage for economic pursuits,” he urged.
He reminded members to be supportive of the government of the day which he said is the best platform for the union to get assistance for businesses such as licences and work contracts.
SDNU and its branches can start by holding useful and motivational symposiums and public talks on the economy, he added.
“Create an economic entity and joint venture with others to undertake suitable businesses. Use members to manage them. Members can be shareholders to sit in the board of companies. Do not close yourselves from economic aspect,” he remarked at the launch of SDNU Bandar Riyal branch at a community hall in Kota Padawan here on Saturday night.
Commending the branch’s commitment, Mawan said the branch headed by civil servant Stanley Belayong Pok could take off with good initiatives for members and become a role model for other branches. He pledged RM10,000 in government grant to the branch to finance their future activities.