KUCHING: The Dayak National Congress (DNC) held its first Triennial General Meeting (TGM) since its inauguration in 2016 Saturday. It was held in Grand Supreme Hotel, here.
A new committee has been elected for the new term from 2017 to 2020. The principal officers are as follows: President: Paul Raja; Deputy President: Richard Lias; Vice President: JaluminBayogoh 1; Vice President 2: Robert TellaGunjom; Vice President 3: AbellAhing; Secretary General: Douglas Alau; Deputy Secretary General: Teresa Gintin; Treasurer General: Fabian Tissen; Deputy Treasurer General: George Young Siricod Jr and eight Committee Members.
The immediate past President is Mengga Mikui and Past Deputy President is Datuk John Tenewi Nuek. Both have been appointed as Trust Officers of the society.
“I would like to stress that we are an NGO and not a political party. Some people are still thinking that we are a political party. We are not,” said its President Paul Raja.
“We are an NGO who speaks for and on Dayak issues particularly on NCR land matters and development. Of-course there are many Dayak NGOs who also speak on NCR lands; but our involvement has been pioneering unity amongst various Dayak NGOs to work together in our struggle for our rights, interests and privileges. We are believing in working with all Dayak NGOs as each NGO has its own strength.
So in this TGM our theme is: “Together Towards Tomorrow, Our Unity Our Strength.”
At the Conference, a number of matters have been resolved.
Firstly, NCR land through the State by Land Custody Development Authority [LCDA] must be reviewed, evaluated and subject to public scrutiny. In the event that LCDA is found to have failed in its object, it will have to cease to be the managing agent for Dayak NCR Lands. So far there has been no transparent report to the public on its success in uplifting the rural Dayak economy. Instead it had been sued throughout the state on the grounds of land grabbing and failure to improve the lot of the rural Dayaks. This, the State Government must intervene to rectify the situation.
All NCR land developments, present or future must be on free prior and informed consent basis and involve the native landowners directly.
Secondly, teaching of Dayak Adat / Customs in schools must be made available as a subject in all schools with Dayak students throughout Sarawak.
The third matter touches on Protection Of Dayak Intellectual Properties. Dayak intellectual properties – including traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions, literary expressions, motifs, arts, medicine, dances and performances and artefacts must be protected from exploitation by others without consent or permission the proper Dayak body or organisation. That the necessary laws be enacted towards that purpose.
Fourthly there must Dayak Titles and Awards.
Dayak system of titles and awards be established to award and recognise deserving individuals. A Council of Elders be established to be the Custodian Adat on titles and awards.
The fifth matter is about Dayak Oil Palm Smallholders. All the necessary assistance including the Sustainable Palm Oil Clusters [SPOC] be provided to Dayak smallholders.
Sixthly, the matter touches on Rural Transformation and Development.
Development, namely, communication system such as roads, telecommunication, public facilities, utilities and infrastructures must be expedited in Dayak rural areas to be on par with urban development, yesterday’s press release by Dayak National Congress President Paul Raja concluded.
