Manyin hopes to see Bidayuhs not divided by dialect

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Manyin (fifth right) seen leading the toast during the Rami Gawia Semeba 2016 at Kampung Semeba village hall on Saturday. Also seen are Lo (fourth right), Ik Pahon (third right), Wes (sixth right) and other officials.

Manyin (fifth right) seen leading the toast during the Rami Gawia Semeba 2016 at Kampung Semeba village hall on Saturday. Also seen are Lo (fourth right), Ik Pahon (third right), Wes (sixth right) and other officials.

KUCHING: Minister of Youth and Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong hopes that one day Bidayuh Dayaks will be ‘dialect-blind’, saying it would go a long way in integrating the community.

He lamented that as of now, most Bidayuh Dayaks in the state were still differentiating themselves mainly based on the four main dialects they spoke; namely Jagoi-Singai (Bau District), Bukar-Sadong (Serian Division), Biatah (Padawan area and its vicinity) and Selako-Lara (Lundu District).

Speaking during an event known as ‘Rami Gawia Semeba 2016’ at Kampung Semeba here on Saturday, Manyin noted that Bidayuhs also differentiated each other by the area they came from and their religion.

Hence, he spoke about getting the Bidayuh community united so that they could be on par with other races in terms of progress.

“A Bidayuh will always be a Bidayuh no matter where or what background they are from. We need to put all our differences aside and see the bigger picture by first calling ourselves Bidayuh, then which Bidayuh

sub-tribe we are from if we must,” he advised.

Coming from Serian and of Bukar-Sadong sub-ethnicity, he said he felt obliged to remind his own people as he was also speaking as a minister handling solidarity matters for the state.

On another matter, Manyin hoped the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) would help to widen the main road to Kampung Semeba.

“This village experiences massive traffic congestion during events such as the one held today (Saturday). For the sake of the people living in Kampung Semeba, I hope MPP will pay attention to their needs,” he said.

Also present were MPP chairman and Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and Rami Gawia Semeba 2016 chairperson Wes Mirid.

The main event during that night was the ‘Dari Ngigap’ and ‘Dayung Sangon’ contest to select the most handsome Bidayuh man and prettiest Bidayuh woman among the contestants.

Seven male and 13 female contestants dressed in traditional Bidayuh attires participated in the contest.

Manyin pledged RM10,000 for the event, much to the delight of the organisers and villagers present.