Gloria, second Bidayuh appointed Malaysian High Commissioner

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Gloria (third left) and her husband Raj (second left) with host Henry (fifth right) and other guests.

KUCHING: Newly appointed Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet and her family were feted to a dinner at Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) headquarters here on Friday.

The dinner, jointly hosted by Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong and Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep, was held to celebrate her appointment.

Gloria, whose family hails from Kampung Tanjong Singai, is the second Bidayuh to be appointed High Commissioner/ Ambassador after Datuk John Tenewi Nuek.

Currently the Sarawak regional director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gloria is scheduled to be posted to Abuja, Nigeria next month after receiving her credentials.

Addressing the diners, Gloria said she was looking forward to her new posting and she hoped her appointment would inspire more Bidayuh to become career diplomats.

“It will be a big responsibility heading the nation’s High Commission there. Hopefully, the younger generation Bidayuh will follow my footsteps as a career diplomat, since not many are aware of this profession,” she said.

She explained that it is now her 21st year in the foreign mission and her profession had seen her posted to embassies overseas including in Chile, Argentina and Sweden.

Being away from Kuching most of the time, she said she was posted back here to head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sarawak Regional Office since last year and this allowed her to be in touch again with the Bidayuh community.

“I got back last year, and I got involved with volunteering work together with DBNA and BGA (Bidayuh Graduates Association) to reach out and assist members of the community,” she said.

Meanwhile, Manyin who is also DBNA chief advisor said the Bidayuh community are proud of Gloria’s promotion.

He said it showed the Bidayuhs can go far if they retain the spirit of unity of purpose and continue to develop quality people among the community.

“We are very happy because we now have a second Ambassador/ High Commissioner from our community. Her success is also Bidayuh’s success,” he said.

Henry in his brief remarks said the dinner was organised to celebrate the success of a member of the Bidayuh community, and he hoped the Bidayuhs would continue to remain united.

Also present were Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh, Bidayuh community leaders and personalities from the community.