DAYAK MEET: (F rom left) Seliong, Dr Baru, Dr Muney, Dr John, Peli, Martin and Duwen at the first full meeting of DAP DCC in DAP Piasau service centre.
MIRI: DAP’s Dayak Consultative Council held its first full meeting here since its formation three months ago.
Seven of the proposed 10-member DCC came together in DAP Piasau service centre at the water Front Commercial Centre, some meeting each other for the first time.
“This is our first full meeting with fellow DCC members coming from various parts of the country, so the first agenda is to get to know each other before we start serious discussion on other matters,” said DCC chairman Dr John Brian Anthony on Saturday.
The other six professionals present included Seliong Wau (Kuala Lumpur), Dr Bob Baru (Miri), Dr Muney Serit (Seremban), Peli Aron (Sri Aman), Martin Entamin (Miri), and Duwen Babat (Petaling Jaya).
Although two other members Naga Tang and Edward Luak of Sarawak were unable to attend, while another seat is still
vacant, there is sufficient quorum to start a full meeting, and they are also expected to join in the DAP Sarawak
Annual Convention today (Nov 13).
The general consensus among DCC members is that the views and contributions of Dayak professionals have long been ignored or not taken seriously by Barisan Nasional (BN) government leaders.
“Dayak professionals and academics have been treated like they are always opposing the government, and hence ignored,” echoed some of the DCC members, which was one reason why they seek alternative platforms like the DAP DCC to voice their concerns about the directions of the Dayak community.
Independent political analyst Dr Ong Kian Ming from Kuala Lumpur was also present at the DCC meeting as an observer.