SDNU mulls special panel of advisors

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KUCHING: Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) will soon create a special panel of advisors as a platform for influential Dayak leaders to help tackle issues involving the Dayak community.

SDNU president Tan Sri William Mawan, in announcing this on Saturday, said the panel would comprise both past and present leaders, political party leaders and community leaders.

“These individuals can come from any party, any racial or ethnic groups. Whatever it is, you are welcomed to contribute because there is no way that you can stand by the sideline and (just) criticise. You are welcomed to air your views and we will commit.

“We are not going to incorporate just anybody. We want people who are smart, an optimist and very discerning to ensure that everybody can contribute.

“SDNU promises to take into consideration all criticisms and advices,” said Mawan, who is also Social Development Minister, at ‘SDNU Golf Charity and Executive Committee Installation Gawai Dinner’ which was held at Christian Ecumenical Centre here.

Also present were guest-of-honour Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas, SDNU deputy president Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, and a host of state dignitaries and Dayak state assemblymen.

Using the long-drawn Rumah Dayak issue as an example, Mawan said Dayak leaders who often voiced their concerns were the ones who could help untangle the complications.

“We should not indulge in war or differences left and right. The committee will not adhere to this anymore as we put our focus on strengthening Dayak solidarity. To serve this purpose, political preferences and ethnic groups should no longer be the order of the day.”

On another matter, he announced that SDNU was still awaiting approval from the Registrar of Society (ROS) to make available vice-president slots for the Orang Ulu and Bidayuh communities and seven additional supreme council posts through an amendment of its constitution.

The proposed amendment is to ensure that all Dayak races are duly accommodated and to show the other ethnic groups that the union was serious in wanting to strengthen solidarity.

“In order to propel the economic agenda (of the Dayak community), we need solidarity. This is not to dilute the Iban but to standardise our goal as we move towards a challenging environment.”

Meanwhile, Uggah, in his speech, opined that the new SDNU line-up was impressive in terms of the presence of a wide range of Dayak professionals.

To critics who were fearful of politicians helming the union, Uggah said Mawan and Nanta was not gunning to take over the union but to lend a helping hand to make SDNU strong.

“Politicians do not take over (something like this). They only provide help and guidance to ensure that SDNU will continue to be smooth running and relevant.”

Uggah later chipped in RM30,000 from his minor rural grant (MRP) for SDNU’s fund-raising golf tournament.