TOKEN OF APPRECIATION: Dominic (left) looks on as Richard (middle) hands over a memento to Manyin for gracing the dinner.
KUCHING: The Bidayuh community must stay united to continue earning respect from others, said Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.
He explained that since Bidayuhs are a minority ethnic group in the country, unity is paramount to them considering that they speak different dialects which could easily break them up according to the districts they come from.
“In Malaysia, there are only 200,000 Bidayuhs compared to the total population of 28 million. Therefore, we must be united because if we are not united, our voices will not be heard and other people will not respect us.
“So far, our unity is solid. Bidayuhs, no matter where they come be it Serian, Penrissen, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, anywhere, are proud to call themselves as Bidayuh and this ‘Semangat Bidayuh’ (spirit) must be retained at all times,” he said at a fundraising dinner in Kampung Semaba near here on Saturday.
Manyin also said Bidayuhs are thankful they have Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) as the umbrella body for them. Since DBNA’s formation in 1955, it has become a common platform for the Bidayuhs to work together and promote and preserve their culture irrespective of their political inclination, he added.
On Kampung Semaba, he said he was proud this village, which is located very near to Kuching City, has produced many outstanding individuals including senior government officers, entrepreneurs and even university professors.
He added he took note of the problems faced by the village, and he promised to bring them up to the relevant authorities. He also pledged RM15,000 to the village’s security and development committee (JKKK) in 2014 to top up the RM30,000 he had already given this year.
Meanwhile, Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan, who was also present, said Kampung Semaba holds a special place in his heart because it is the birthplace and final resting place of his late mother.
In his brief remarks, Snowdan said he was informed of the needs of the village by the village elders during his visits to the village, and he announced a
pledge of RM20,000 for the upgrading of the village’s multipurpose hall and RM10,000 to the village church.
“I have sentimental feelings for this village since it is my mother’s land,” he said, adding he had also brought over some community leaders from Balai Ringin to the dinner to experience the hospitality of the people.
Semaba village chief Richard Laut and the dinner organising chairman Dominic Josip also spoke at the dinner, held at the village’s community hall which was recently completed at a cost of RM300,000.