MIRI: Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datu Dr Penguang Manggil has reiterated his call to Dayak based Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to unite for the sake of the native community.
Speaking at the Dayak Association Miri’s (DAM) appreciation and installation of its new office bearers for 2022 -2023 on Saturday night here, Penguang said Dayaks NGOs must avoid conflict among themselves and unite for their voices to be heard by the government.
“Avoid disunity, as it could lead to self-destruction,” he told a crowd of 600 at the event.
Penguang added, as the largest ethnic group in Sarawak, Ibans, must always ‘segulai sejalai’ or be united to develop the community in various aspects.
He encouraged the Ibans to emulate the Orang Ulu, to stay united under one umbrella in order to have a strong and firm voice.
“In Miri, we have 12 Iban NGOs, it is a lot .… enough with the formation of the (Iban) association, it’s time for you to stand united, these NGOs need to unite under one roof,” he pointed out.
DAM which was established back in 1962 currently only has 700 members in Miri out of 70,000 Ibans residing here.
Penguang later threw a challenge to DAM to unite all these 12 Dayak based NGOs in Miri to unite under one umbrella for the sake of the community’s development.
“We need to chart our future, the Dayak’s future is in your hands, and for a better future for our community we need to unite,” he said.
“As the biggest ethnic group in the State, the Ibans need to have a ‘home’ or Rumah Dayak similar to a cultural centre building like the Orang Ulu under the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Malaysia (FORUM) … their (Orang Ulu) request (to have the cultural centre) was easily granted by the State government because they are united under one umbrella,” he explained.
Also present at the DAM’s installation night were its president Wilfred Mac and its adviser Pemanca Alexander Isut.
During the appreciation and installation night, a total 33 Dayak academic achievers received education incentives from DAM.
