KUCHING: Serakup Aspirasi Dayak Lembah Kelang (Aspirasi), a newly-formed non-governmental organisation assembling Dayaks in Peninsular Malaysia, has responded to the plight of flood victims in Long Panai, Baram.
Members visited Long Panai, a Kayan settlement in Marudi, Baram on Friday to hand over donations.
Aspirasi president Rita Mering, her deputy Vinceton Gerawat and several members handed over the donation to Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) Sarawak president Rev Justin Wan, who is from the village.
Rita said Aspirasi sympathised with those affected by the floods, especially during Christmas, and hopes the donation would be of help.
“This initiative is a start for our members to contribute positively to our home state Sarawak and on behalf of our association I would like to thank all donors and hope those who work or reside outside the state will also join in to assist the locals,” she said.
Rita said Aspirasi was formed to be a catalyst for Dayak transformation to equally contribute to the nation’s progress.
“Aspirasi is also determined to see more Dayak interacting as global players. As transformation enablers, we feel Dayaks need to be empowered in five key areas, namely religion, economic, education, government (leadership) and social,” she said in a statement to thesundaypost yesterday.
She added that Aspirasi is currently based in the Klang Valley but is expected to spread its wings to major divisions throughout Sarawak by the year end.
“Aspirasi welcomes participation of Dayaks who are based in Peninsular Malaysia to join us and participate in activities that have been scheduled that will have a major impact for the Dayak community and Sarawak as a whole.”