SIBU: Some 50,000 Iban children statewide have now the opportunity to study their own mother tongue properly and systematically in their schools.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said this had been possible due to the efforts, support and concern of both the state and federal governments and Iban leaders themselves.
He said this at the launching of the Sixth Iban Cultural Symposium, as part of the programmes to celebrate the state 50th Merdeka anniversary, here last night.
Jabu said for the past three years, the language was also offered as a degree course at some teachers training institutes and universities nationwide.
“For the Iban race to be respected, we must practise and nurture good culture and cultural values, good customs and good knowldege of the Iban language.
Most important of all, we must always prioritise good education for our children to ensure they have a brighter future,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also thanked the state government for giving the community two monumental projects.
“We are very thankful the state government is building for us the Majlis Adat Istiadat (Iban Customary Law Council) headquarters for us as well as the new Native Court Building in Kota Samarahan,” he said.
Jabu also thanked the state government for its initiative in developing Native Customary Right land for commercial oil palm plantations on joint ventureship between the owners and investors.
He said under the initiative to eradicate rural poverty, some 500,000 hectares had been approved for development with some 60,000 hectares already planted.
On the symposium, he said it was aimed at identifying future challenges, changes and problems to the community and all resolutions reached would be forwarded to the government.
Some 500 Iban academicians, politicians, civil servants, community leaders and members of various Iban non-govcernmental organisations are attending the three-day event. — BERNAMA