Henry (right) presents the appointment letter to Dorilla. At left is Anielia.
BAU: The Tasik Biru state constituency recently saw the appointment of the first Bidayuh woman as community leader.
Dorilla Labes was appointed as the Ketua Kaum (village chief) for Kampung Sibuluh, for a period of four years.
She and other community leaders received their appointment letter at a ceremony held last Wednesday at Bau District Office, which was officiated by Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep and witnessed by Bau district officer Anielia Siam.
When asked to comment on this yesterday, Henry said Dorilla’s appointment represented a new way forward for the Bidayuh community.
He pointed out the Bidayuh community was recently honoured by the appointment of Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet from Singai as the first Bidayuh lady to be appointed a Malaysian envoy after she received her instrument of appointment as the new Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria.
He also said Anielia Siam was the first Bidayuh lady appointed as District Officer for Bau in 2016.
“Hence, the recent appointment of Dorilla Labes as Ketua Kaum is in line with our move to increase women’s participation in decision making and leadership. This appointment is also aimed to raise the dignity of Bidayuh women especially those in Tasik Biru,” he said.
He also congratulated Phang Nyiet Kiaw, who was the second Chinese woman to be appointed as Kapitan in Tasik Baru. Phang received her appointment letter as Kapitan for Taiton area on Wednesday.
The function also saw the presentation of appointment letters to new community leaders and present ones whose services were extended. Michael Siten is the new Bidayuh Pemanca for Bau district.