Churchill (standing, centre) joins Lo on his left, Stephen on his right and other guests in a photo-call.
KUCHING: Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) has been commended for its role in bringing the state’s native communities together and also providing a platform for them to promote their respective cultures.
Assistant Minister of Industries and Investment Malcolm Mussen Lamoh praised the union in his remarks during the SDNU Youth Cultural Night 2018 at a hotel here on Saturday where he represented Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, who was the patron of the event.
According to Mussen, a collaboration of several associations is not only an effective way in organising programmes, but also serves as a forum to instil in members that strong sense of closeness and also to improve networking.
“Alone, we may not be able to do great things but through collaboration with other groups, we can succeed,” he said, also praising SDNU Youth under the leadership of Churchill Edward Drem.
At the event, Mussen also pledged minor rural project (MRP) grants of RM15,000 to SDNU Youth, followed by another RM10,000 pledged by Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang who was also present.
These funds were pledged in addition to the RM15,000 government grant announced by Masing.
Mussen also took the opportunity to use SDNU as the platform to pledge RM10,000 to Serakup Ngasi Sarawak (Sarawak Cultural Education Association) and another RM10,000 to Sadia Academy.
In his remarks, Churchil – also the event organising chairman – said SDNU Youth was only formed in 2015, while its parent body is now 62-year old.
He said SDNU Youth, like SDNU, supports government’s programme and policies but should these be less than satisfactory or are seen as short-changing the Dayaks, it would take a moderator stand in settling such issues with the government.
He also said SDNU Youth strives to be on the forefront in promoting and preserving racial harmony and unity – however, it also strives to act as the ‘last stand’ when it comes to the interest of the Dayaks.
“This means when everything else fails, SDNU would be the protector of the Dayaks,” he said.
Various traditional dances were showcased that night, along with Kuntau Iban (Iban martial art) demonstrations, an arm-wrestling challenge and ‘Batak Lampung’ (traditional tug-of-war between two participants), to entertain some 600 guests, including members of Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS), Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association, Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia), Sarawak Dayak Youths (Pebedas), Sarawak Iban Kuntau Association (Sikar), Kelab Badminton Kenyalang, Seraban, Raban Kapit Kuching Samarahan and Kampung Pla Recreation Club.
Sarawak Arm Sports Association (Sasa) and Malaysia Strongman Association Sarawak (MSAS) provided assistance in organising the gathering.
At the event, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang took the opportunity to present allocations to Sadia Kuching, SDNU Taman Malihah, Pebedas Kuching and Sikar.
First Infantry Division Commander Major General Datuk Stephen Mundaw, Sabah Prosecution director Robert Pasang Alam, political secretary to chief minister
Alexander Asing Sadai, SDNU vice-president I Dr Gluma Saban, Sadia chairman Sidi Munan, SDGA secretary-general Bunie Japah, Sasa advisor Datuk Seri Teng Chi Lik, Sasa president Matthew Dominic Barin and his deputy Stephen Kee, as well as MSAS chairman ASP Ricky
Poh were also present.
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