Assistant Minister advises Iban community against politicising problems
KUCHING: The Iban Dayak community of Sarawak has been told not to politicise every problem they face because they can also resort to social solution.
On top of that, the Dayak community must prove that they are capable of solving their own problems within their own community using the right tools in order for them to gain the respect of other communities.
According to Assistant Minister of Industries and Investment Malcom Mussen Lamoh, there are many ways to solve problems faced by the community, such as helping each other or seeking solution through the right channels available.
The Batang Ai assemblyman opined that some members of the community still see politics as a way to solve every problem they faced.
“Not everything can be politicised. We need to identify the problems first before we find the right tools to solve our problem and not just think that politics is the solution to everything,” he added.
“If the Iban or Dayak community is able to manage their problems well, the community will earn the respect of others,” he said.
Musssen said this when met after receiving a courtesy call from Sarawak Dayak National Union ( SDNU) Youth chief Churchill Edward Drem and its secretary Surai Abell at his office here yesterday.
During the courtesy call, Surai revealed that Mussen accepted their invite as guest of honour representing Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing at SDNU Youth’s dinner gathering slated for Feb 3 at Penview Hotel in Pending here.
“We are honoured to have YB Malcolm Mussen representing our event patron, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing at the dinner.
“This event will be filled with cultural shows, Iban Kuntau demonstrations as well as arm wrestling and Batak Lampung – a type of tug-of-war between two participants – for the benefit of 550 diners including other VVIP like SDNU president YB Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom and Malaysian First Division Infantry commander Major General Datuk Stephen Mundaw, as well as YB Christopher Gira and YB Lo Khere Chiang,” Suria said.
He added that the arm wrestling and Batak Lampung contests would be interesting entertainment because they were once popular traditional pastime sports of the Ibans in longhouses and schools.