Dayaks are the biggest and strongest in the state: CM
KUCHING: The Dayaks received the “biggest and the strongest” compliment ever given them in quite a while yesterday.
Coming from the state’s No. 1 politician, it is a form of recognition of the important role the Dayaks can actually play in the political and socio-economic development of the state.
Most of all, it is also a responsibility that the Dayaks have towards themselves.
“Yours is the biggest and strongest community in the state and you surely can defend your customary rights (over the land),” Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said when he officiated at the closing of a state-level Gawai Dayak 2019 at Kampung Pichin in Serian on Saturday.
The chief minister called upon the Dayaks to keep documentary proof that the land they claim are indeed theirs or handed down to them by their ancestors.
He reiterated that the state government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is ever ready to issue titles to NCR land claimants for as long as they have proof of ownership.
Moving forward, he urged Dayaks to be active in agriculture, saying it will be a good source of income and someday may contribute significantly to the state’s aim of becoming a net food producer and exporter.
“The government has done its part by setting up the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Robinson Road, Singapore. I believe this office can promote our products and generate income for our state”, he said.
In the latter part of the event, Abang Johari handed over to the residents of Kampung Pichin 246 land titles processed under an initiative of the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA).
More than 2,000 people from around Serian District and Kuching attended the celebration at Kampung Pichin.
Next year, it will be the turn of the Orang Ulu to host the state-level Gawai Dayak.
Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister who is also Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land, and Regional Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. Uggah is also the patron of this year’s celebration.
