KUCHING: The Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) is ready to help aspiring writers out there.
Chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said there were still not enough books written on Dayak culture, traditions and achievements.
The Deputy Premier said this when launching an autobiography on the late Iban educationist, Athelstance Alli Majang, here on Friday (Oct 21).
The 286-page book is written by his son, Datuk Michael Dawi Alli, who is the chief registrar of the Native Courts Sarawak.
“We have many retired civil servants, including educationists, culture experts and others, among us. Those aspiring to write can contact DCF for assistance in getting your book published.
“DCF wants to preserve as much of our culture and traditions for the younger generation.”
He described the late Alli as a trailblazer among early Dayak educationists.
“He served under the Japanese, British colonial and finally the Malaysian governments.
“As a trained teacher and later as a group supervisor of school until his retirement in 1978 in the then Third Division, he had seen the importance of education to the new generation in rural areas.”
Uggah added that for his immense contributions, the late Alli was selected as the Tokoh Guru Sarawak in 1984 and the following year, he won the Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan title.
Meanwhile, Dawi said editing the book drafted by his late father was a challenge.
“My father was a prolific writer, and among others, had contributed articles to the now defunct Nendak Iban magazine and other publications.
“He had a poignant message in that he said honesty was an essential virtue to be practised by all, and an honest person would live his life fully and would have many friends,” Dawi added.
