KUCHING: The Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Community Hostel project is expected to be completed by 2022.
According to a press statement issued on Sunday (Sept 27), the project, which was costed around RM16 million, is also set to be the Bidayuh community’s newest landmark in the city.
“The first part of the funding for the project by the state government was already handed over by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Sept 3 this year,” the statement said.
It also mentioned that Deputy State Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik was re-elected as the president of DBNA, during the association’s 9th triennial general assembly (TGA) on Saturday (Sept 26).
Ik Pahon retained the post uncontested in the election of office bearers for the term 2020-2022 during the TGA, which was held at the association’s headquarters in Jalan Kumpang.
The re-election means that Ik Pahon shall lead DBNA for a sixth consecutive term, while the remaining office bearers for the new term is a mixture of old and new faces.
Bau District education officer Charlie Ungang retained his post as deputy president, after garnering the highest number of votes in a three-cornered contest.
Associate Professor Dr Kismet Hong Ping and senior lecturer Dr Clarence Jerry are the two new vice presidents, also including Joseph Jindy Peter Rosen was also retained his post as vice president.
The secretary-general post was retained by lawyer Jubilant Austinway after winning in a two-cornered contest. Andrew Joris Noyen is the new treasurer-general.
Meanwhile, Senorita Senong is the new assistant secretary-General after she was declared unopposed for the post.
Also newly elected is James Nahar, after he won a straight fight for the post of assistant treasurer-general.
Along the way, Atok Derop was elected as the new Cultural Officer, while Samuel John was returned unopposed as the Information Officer.
After that, the election for the eight ordinary Supreme Council Member posts saw four new faces being elected — John Riba Marin, Shirley Kho, Dr Paul Tulik and Kencha Dewok — while the other four who were retained were Billy Sujang, Bronnie Marshall, Capt Bernard Idit and Mejun Abang.
John Wayne Chamberlin from the State Attorney General’s Chambers presided as Returning Officer for the election, and he was assisted by Boniface Anat.
After the election, TGA resolved to reappoint Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Sarawak, Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong as Chief Advisor of DBNA and to appoint Lansy Johan as Internal Auditor.
Some 120 delegates and observers from 20 DBNA’s branches — including from as far as Klang Valley — attended the TGA.
Besides that, the assembly also discussed resolutions from the branches which mainly touched on land issues and other matters affecting the Bidayuh community.
A welcoming dinner and the official opening ceremony for the assembly was held on Saturday (Sept 26) night and was officiated by Manyin, and also attended by several Bidayuh assemblymen.
