Manyin (front, fourth right) and Ik Pahon on his left join former DBNA supreme council members in a photo-call after the presentation of mementos and certificates.
Manyin (front, fourth right) – flanked by Ik Pahon on his left and DBNA deputy president Charlie Ungang – with members of the present DBNA supreme council line-up.
KUCHING: The Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) held an appreciation dinner on Monday night to honour its former supreme council members from the previous two terms.
The event, held at a restaurant here, also served as an opportunity for the current Supreme Council line-up led by its president, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, to be introduced to Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, who is DBNA advisor.
The former supreme council members are Boniface Anat, William Nyigor, Kendy Edward, Yunus Apok, Nancy Mongin, Stephen Sundin, Walter Dior, James Nahar and George Sikien Sunow.
Ik Pahon, in his speech, spoke about the direction to be taken under the new Supreme Council which he described as ‘a mixture of seniors and juniors’.
He also expressed his appreciation to the former Supreme Council members for their services and contributions rendered to DBNA, and he hoped they would continue to serve and contribute to the betterment of the Bidayuh community.
Meanwhile Manyin expressed his hope for DBNA to assist him to generate greater interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among Bidayuhs, especially the young ones.
He also hoped that DBNA would help promote the benefits from the merger of schools with low enrolment especially those in predominantly-Bidayuh areas, so their academic performance could be enhanced.
He also gave advice and shared with those attending some of the steps taken to chart the way forward for the Bidayuh community.