Dayaks told to unite and work together

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Samuel beats a gong to launch PAIS at Gua Long House homestay in Bakam. Erick is at seventh right.

MIRI: Dayaks in Sarawak are urged to unite and work together in solving whatever problems they have in areas such as education, culture and tradition.

Making the call was Iban Sarawak Association (PAIS), which was registered in December last year. Its president is Samuel Suring while Walter Sela is vice-president I and Joseph Engkasan vice president II. The secretary is Hafiszah Abdullah and there are 25 other members of the executive committee.

Set up to fight for the rights of the Dayaks, particularly the Ibans, PAIS also hopes that more job opportunities could be given to Sarawakians, not only in the civil service but also in the private sector.

The association also wants the related government agencies to assist smart students from poor family to further their studies.

The association has so far received encouraging response to its membership drive, and is looking forward to set up more branches throughout the state.

Before it was registered with the ROS, the association has already been operating as ‘Dayak 360’, and has been carrying out numerous charitable activities to help less fortunate members of the Dayak community. It also collaborated with various non-government organisations here.

“Apart from Miri as its headquarters, the association has branches in Limbang, Bintulu, Sibu, Betong, Sri Aman and Kuching,” Samuel said when contacted recently.

PAIS was officially launched at Gua Long House homestay in Bakam on Jan 13. SUPP Public Complaint Bureau chairman Erick Chin was one of the guests at the function.

PAIS is moving actively in Miri by carrying out various community activities including assisting the less fortunate members of the public.

Samuel added that the association had recently donated to a single mother from Lepong Ajai in Liam, Bakong.

“Apart from being a single mother who has to care for her two school-going children, Salimah is also a victim of natural disaster. Her house collapsed due to landslide recently.”