Dennis (fifth left) receives a memento from Anthonio. Also seen are committee members and other invited guests.
MIRI: Minority ethnic groups such as the Bisaya must present a united front so as to be noticed by other communities.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau gave this advice when speaking at the Miri Bisaya Association annual dinner recently.
“You will not be able to survive and will not be able to change without interaction and help from others,” he said.
Thus, he called on professionals and those educated including entrepreneurs in the community to come forward and join the association as members.
“You can’t entirely depend on others to help and to bring change especially socio-economic development and progress among the community. No one else can help other than yourself or your own community.”
However, Dennis acknowledged that the Bisaya community has been playing an important role in the development and progress of the city, state and country, despite being are a minority group,
He commended the association for promoting unity and better understanding with other communities by participating in their activities and inviting them to the dinner and other activities of the association.
During the dinner, Dennis applauded the association for presenting education incentives to students who excelled in public examinations and those going for higher learning.
“This goes to show that you acknowledge that education is the key of change. It is important for us to invest in education for human capital development to meet future needs and demands. We need to prepare and be ready to meet the changes and challenges of the future.”
Also present were director of Administration Unit of the Chief Minister’s Department Anthonio Khati Galis, who is also the president of Sarawak Bisaya Association; organising chairman Dionysius Richard; chairman of Miri Melanau Association Alexander Maiyor and Narmal Singh from Miri Sikh Association.