Nanta (seated centre) with Gira (second right) and other SDNU members during the dinner.
KUCHING: Deputy president of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi says the Dayak community should be proud that they have a fair share of elected representatives who are professionals and academically qualified.
“Due to their professional background, our Dayak law makers will get commendable respect from their fellow representatives in the state legislature or parliament,” he said.
“To get a better representation in the state and country, we need these professional people who can speak intelligently in the interest of the community,” he added.
He said this at a congratulatory dinner organised by SDNU Siol Kandis branch on Friday Night for their president and Pakan assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom and treasurer-general Christopher Gira, who is Tamin assemblyman, for winning their respective seats in the last state election.
Nanta, who is also Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and MP for Kapit, said he was very grateful to have SDNU members who were not only law makers but represent the Dayak people.
But he insisted that SDNU was apolitical and its main objectives were to uphold the social, educational, economic and cultural development of the native community.
He noted that in the past, Dayak leaders used to be lagging behind the other races despite being the majority in the state but this scenario was changing and would continue to do so for the betterment of the community.
“Nowadays we have more professionals within the Dayak community like Gira who is a civil engineer and many more professionals who can bring us to be on par with the more developed communities in the country,” he enthused.
Nanta also wanted to see more Dayak professionals involved in SDNU to ensure that the union continue to move forward to ensure the progress and development of the Dayak community.
“Do not belittle other members but instead think of how to be better and make the organisation outstanding and boost each other’s confidence in executing duties and tasks so that everybody is motivated to achieve the objectives of SDNU,” he said.
Nanta called for more young Dayak professionals to contribute to society through SDNU.
At the function, he announced an allocation of RM5,000 for SDNU Siol Kandis branch to finance its activities.
Earlier, in his speech, Gira, called on SDNU members to think of ways to develop SDNU assets including commercialisation of their land and properties.
He suggested that land given by the government to SDNU for burial grounds could be developed similar to the Nirvana Memorial Park as well as their outstanding property “The Rumah Dayak” in the city centre.
Gira believed that the Rumah Dayak has huge commercial potential despite the many hiccups faced in its development.
He revealed that the occupation permit for the building would be available by the end of the year and SDNU hoped to build a new chapter on the property that was once the pride of the Dayak community in Sarawak.
He also announced RM5,000 from his MRP fund for SDNU Siol Kandis Branch for its activities.