Alice (right) with (from left) Valerie, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and his wife Datin Patinggi Jamilah Anu after the investiture ceremony.
SIBU: Chairperson of Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Sibu Ir Alice Jawan Empaling is the first Iban woman from the Rajang Basin to be conferred the Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS) award, which carries the title ‘Dato’.
She received the award at an investiture ceremony at the Lapau of the State Legislative Assembly Building in Kuching on Saturday.
The award was bestowed in conjunction with the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s first official birthday celebration.
She is also the first Iban woman recipient of PSBS here who was not involved in politics.
Meanwhile, Alice felt proud and moved by the recognition given by the state government, and described it as a big honour to the Dayak community, especially the Ibans in downstream Batang Rajang.
“The award (PSBS) is a high recognition, especially for Iban women in Sibu. I wish to share this award with all the Dayaks, especially the Ibans in Sibu Division, more so with women.
“This is the success of all who represent the Dayak community here because of our joint responsibilities in focusing on the development of our race and state,” she told reporters here yesterday.
She also shared the award with all Methodist Christians for their contributions towards the development of Methodist women in the country.
Alice, 50, hails from Sungai Assan Sibu and has a daughter, Valerie Tipong Jawan, 15.
Apart from being an executive committee member of SIDS, she is also the president of General Conference of Methodist Women, Methodist Church (GCMW) of Malaysia.
Holding the post of deputy general manager of Sibu Water Board, she specialises in non-revenue water (NRW) and had spoken at several national and international conferences.
Her professional qualifications include Bachelor of Science (Civil Engineering) from University Of Tennessee-Knoxville, USA, and Executive Master Of Business Administration-Ohio University, Ohio, USA.
Alice also extended her highest appreciation to the state government for recognising her contributions to social and non-governmental organisations.
She said the recognition will be a boost for her to continue contributing to the development of the Dayak communities in Sibu Division and GCMW.