BY JACQUELINE DAVID
KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has been appointed patron of the Dayak National Congress (DNC).
“That will be a very heavy responsibility to shoulder but for the sake of Orang Asal, I accept your nomination with great pleasure,” he said.
“Let us sit down together and chart our future because we have no other choice, but to move forward, let’s work together.”
Uggah who is also chairman of the Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) believes that nothing is impossible for the Orang Asal in the state.
“In terms of strengthening the customary administration, the Dayak community has the Sarawak Bumiputera Court. The Sarawak government has also donated funds to DCF.
“For the benefit of the Dayak community in this state, we also have the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and in Miri, we also have the Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Orang Ulu Association, where they too have their own building.
“This is a testament to how the Sarawak government has helped the Orang Asal to develop themselves,” he said.
He said this when representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg,at the launching of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024, attended by about 800 people at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre, here.
During the dinner, Uggah also pledged RM100,000 to assist DNC through his Minor Rural Project (MRP) fund.
Also present at the event were Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Stampin Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen, Mas Gading Member of Parliament Mordi Bimol, Ketua Umum Dewan Adat Dayak Provinsi Kalimantan Barat Drs Cornelius Kimha and DNC president Richard Lias.
