KUCHING: Members of the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) must continue to pool their resources towards bringing the community to better progress and development.
In making the call, Deputy Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri James Dawos Mamit, said this was the paramount objective of association.
“We (Bidayuh) must remember that the formation of the association by the pioneering group was to help the community to prosper and develop in all aspects in tandem with the other races. Hence all members must cooperate and work as a team in ensuring that our community develop on a par with the more progressive communities,” Dawos said recently when officiating DBNA Padawan branch anniversary dinner at Siburan community hall.
He noted that there were about 10 Bidayuh sub-ethnic groups, speaking different dialects and having different culture and tradition.
“So on this regards, it is necessary that all branches unite under the umbrella of the central body,” he asserted.
He stressed that unity among the Bidayuh must be preserved and maintained as it was very important for the community to prosper.
The Mambong MP also mentioned education and business as important sectors that DBNA must focus on.
“For us to progress like other communities, education and business are two important areas that we must seriously look into,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, he urged the Bidayuh graduates to think of venturing into business and not merely think of working with government and private companies.
Earlier, DBNA president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik said there were 21 DBNA branches across the state and one in Klang Valley.
Also present were Bidayuh Graduates Association (BGA) president Dr Ahi Sarok and DBNA Padawan branch chairman Harry Busan.