Rayong gets 40 branches’ nod to contest for SDNU deputy president

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Mawan (seated fifth right) and Rayong (seated fifth left) during a photo call with delegates of SDNU branches in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian divisions as well as event coordinators.

KUCHING: Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa has been given the nod by 40 branches of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) to contest for the union’s deputy president post.

These branches too wanted Rayong to be the running mate of the union president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom who is set to defend the post.

When met after his campaign trail roadshow here on Sunday night, Rayong said with such a huge number of branches giving him their support, he felt confident that he could be the next deputy president after Kapit MP and advisor to the Chief Minister, Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi decided not to seek re-election.

It is still not clear who will be contesting against Rayong in the next SDNU election of office bearers slated for March 9. The 63-year-old SDNU with 46 active branches will be holding its 35th Triennial General Assembly (TGA) at Imperial Hotel here. A prelude to it will be a dinner on March 8 at the same hotel with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiating as guest of honour.

Rayong who is advisor of SDNU Engkilili-Skrang branch begun his campaign trail in January, starting with a roadshow in Skrang before holding another two at Sarikei and Sibu last month.

“Have faith in the president and myself to bring SDNU to a greater height. We also hope to have a good and united office bearers so that the running of SDNU internally and externally can be done smoothly,” said Rayong, adding that he is not a newbie in the union as he is a member since 1996 while Mawan, since the 1970s.

Sunday night roadshow here was officiated by Mawan who in his speech hinted that SDNU supreme executive committee (SEC) will be more united to enable it to embark on a new and economic frontier while maintaining the preservation and protection of Dayak culture and tradition.

Mawan, who is Pakan assemblyman, said if he elected president, he too would like to revisit the spirit of SDNU of the 1960s.

He pointed out that it was SDNU founders’ idea to unite all Dayak ethnics under one roof through social solidarity. However, as time goes by the idea was derailed due to internal politics where the Iban dominance was seen as key factor for other races to set up their own associations in order to move forward.

Mawan said he has already started to change things when initiating a change of constitution to include leaders of other Dayak-based association in the SEC.

“Hence the increase of numbers of SEC posts (elected and appointed) from 17 to 39,” he added.

He said it is imperative that races other than the Iban have good sense of belonging in SDNU so that the number one objective of the union – to promote racial solidarity – can be enhanced in line with the government’s policy of promoting racial harmony.

Mawan informed diners that he was instrumental in forming the SDNU Sibu branch and was very supportive of it when he was a member of the Sarawak Cabinet back then.

Mawan also mulling of setting a Puteri wing to cater for the needs and aspirations of women members from the age of 30 and below.

SDNU already has a women wing namely Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak and youth wing in the name of Belia SDNU.