SIBU: Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Sibu Branch is advised to find a piece of government land available here to build its own premises.
Minister in the Premier’s Department, Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai said it could request help from the relevant parties as well as local representatives.
“It is better to build your own premises than to buy or rent commercial premises because you can make them according to your own design.
“If there is no suitable land and it is too expensive in the urban area, you can look for it in the suburbs. For example, in Sibu Jaya. It doesn’t matter if the land is large or small as long as you have a site to build your own premises,” he said at SIDS Sibu Branch’s 35th anniversary dinner held at a leading hotel here recently.
The event, which attracted more than 1,500 attendees, was also attended by his wife Datin Sri Melia Gelen, Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak William Anut, Temenggong Stanley Gramong, SIDS president Datuk Alice Jawan Empaling, SIDS Sibu Branch chairman Angelyn Uchi Maseng, Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Sibu Branch chairman Chambai Lindong and organising chairperson Monica Giri.
The Kakus assemblyman said after successfully identifying the land concerned, SIDS Sibu Branch could submit an application for the land to get support from the authorities.
According to him, SIDS Sibu Branch can also write to him to get his support.
“After successfully getting the land, you can apply to the Premier of Sarawak to request a budget to build the premises, I can also help you with this process,” he explained.
Regarding SIDS which hac been established for a long time, Sikie urged more Dayak women to join it.
He described SIDS as a catalyst for women’s success to advance in the economy, children’s education, business and so on.
“SIDS can expand its membership and establish its branches in areas that do not yet exist, especially in rural areas. The existence of SIDS is very positive and has a great impact on the development of Dayak women in general,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Uchi, in her welcoming speech, said that SIDS Sibu Branch was first established in 1988 by its protem committee and officially approved for registration in 1989.
“When it was first established, we only had a total of 40 members and after 35 years of establishment, SIDS Sibu Branch now has 1,500 members consisting of women from urban, suburban and rural areas here,” she said.
At the event, Sikie also presented tokens of appreciation to the former SIDS chairpersons of Sibu Branch, namely, Nancy Sudan (1988/Protem), Rosely Umbau (1989), Suda Ambas (1990-1999) and Datuk Alice Jawan (2000- 2017).
He also announced an allocation of RM50,000 to SIDS Sibu Branch for its activities.
