KUCHING: Keeping young Bidayuhs engaged through meaningful opportunities is key to ensuring the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) remains relevant in a rapidly changing digital society.
DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik said youth participation must go beyond cultural activities and include programmes that offer economic and practical benefits to younger generations.
He acknowledged that challenges facing Bidayuhyouths today cannot be ignored, particularly school dropouts and drug abuse.
“The challenge now, as we hear in many Bidayuhcommunities, especially among the youth, is school dropouts and youth involvement in drug abuse. This is our main concern now,” he said in an interview.
Recognising the growing problem, Ik Pahon said DBNA has been collaborating with community leaders, government agencies and law enforcement authorities to raise awareness.
“We have organised anti-drug workshops together with National Anti-Drug Agency and the police to create awareness,” he said.
However, he stressed that parents remain the first line of defence in protecting youths from negative influences.
“The parents must continue to monitor the attitude and behaviour of their children because they are the closest to them and understand them better,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Ik Pahon noted encouraging signs of growing interest among younger Bidayuhs to take part in DBNA activities at branch and regional levels.
To build on this momentum, DBNA plans to organise youth holiday camps and retreats, subject to funding and sponsorship availability.
Using existing facilities, the association hopes to attract interested youths first before gradually expanding outreach efforts.
“It would be easier to work with youths who already have the interest. They can become role models,” he explained.
From there, DBNA intends to focus on another group of youths he described as “fence sitters” — those who are not deeply involved but risk being overlooked.
“These are the youths we must rescue immediately by giving them exposure to business opportunities, job opportunities and information about what is available,” he said.
Ik Pahon admitted there remains a smaller group of youths who are harder to reach, requiring careful and sensitive engagement involving parents and village communities.
“We need to be tactful and diplomatic because going in without the proper approach can backfire,” he said.
Still, he believes even modest success is worthwhile.
“If out of ten, we can save two or three, that is already good enough rather than doing nothing,” he said.
For DBNA, remaining relevant in the digital era will depend not only on preserving identity and culture, but also on empowering young Bidayuhswith opportunities, guidance and community support.
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