Entulu (fourth left) presents the mock cheque to Empiang as others look on.
Entulu (fourth left) presents the mock cheque to Empiang as others look on.
KUCHING: Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) has been called to look into publishing a book on local Iban folklore as well as tales from the longhouse following the success of its cookbook ‘Sarawak Kitchen Indigenous Flavours’.
Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun said such tales, especially those passed down from generation to generation, should be put into books.
“This will also enable the new generations to know these stories, which were told by our forefathers from generation to generation,” he spoke at a a ‘Ramah Mesra’ dinner with government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and the media at Imperial Hotel here on Sunday.
“Taking inspiration from the success of the recipe book published by SIDS, a book on local vegetables, especially those hard to find or rare species, should also be published as it would complement the recipe book as well,” Entulu added.
Such books, according to the minister, would be valuable in the future as a point of reference by the later generations.
On another matter, Entulu also urged SIDS, as an NGO, to be creative in their fundraising programmes and not to rely solely on government grants to operate.
“Politics tend to divide the people so for me, NGOs such as SIDS are the best platform to be assisted as NGOs are apolitical and neutral. Therefore, SIDS should be more proactive in their fundraising efforts and it needs to be creative,” he advised.
Earlier in her speech, SIDS chairwoman Tan Sri Dato Sri Empiang Jabu thanked Entulu for purchasing 700 copies of the recipe book published by SIDS.
“The book took years to compile, as we gathered recipes from members of SIDS branches throughout Sarawak and all submissions were carefully selected to ensure that the recipes would indeed be authentic,” she said.
Empiang also said SIDS, as an NGO, would continue to be progressive and would continue to keep itself updated and relevant to today’s community.
At the event, Entulu also announced grants worth RM10,000 each to SIDS and Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), and also RM5,000 each to various other NGOs.