KUCHING: The Dayak Bidayuh Literary Society (DBLS) is aiming high, with dreams of seeing a Nobel laureate rise from the Bidayuh community one day.
Its chairman Datuk John Tenewi Nuek believes that the Bidayuh can achieve global intellectual and creative recognition, if given the right platform and ecosystem to thrive.
“Can our dream become a reality? Why not? After all, we have produced an Olympic champion, in the person of Pandelela Rinong,” he said during the society’s inaugural dinner held at a restaurant here recently.
Further illustrating his point, Tenewi cited the small Caribbean island nation of St Lucia, which has a population of around 185,000 – roughly the same as the Bidayuh community – having produced not one but two Nobel Prize winners, namely, William Arthur Lewis in economics and Derek Alton Walcott in literature.
“If St Lucia can do it, why can’t we?. Therefore, what we need is the right ecosystem. And in its small way, DBLS aims to contribute to building this ecosystem.
“With the right ecosystem we can produce a resilient, knowledgeable, creative and courageous Bidayuh community. Maybe, able to produce even a Nobel laureate,” he said.
He said DBLS which was formed in 2016 and registered with the Registrar of Societies on Aug 6, 2019 sought to promote literary and intellectual development among the Bidayuhs.
“The basic idea is to make the Bidayuh community a literary society, one that is knowledgeable, creative, courageous and ultimately, resilient.
“Also, we want our youths to be more confident and to be able to express themselves effectively, both verbally and in writing,” he said.
Looking ahead, the society envisions a progressive and resilient Bidayuh community with a well-developed literary culture by 2050.
“Some may say it’s too ambitious, but we believe it’s better to aim high. A lot can be achieved within 25 years if we work hard, consistently, collaboratively, smartly and in unity,” he said.
On the activities held by the society, Tenewi said DBLS has organised two public speaking competitions in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.
“To be honest, we have not done much so far, mostly due to a lack of personnel and limited financial resources,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said the society remained optimistic and is planning to hold its first debating session soon, along with several seminars, talks and writing competitions relevant to the Bidayuh community, especially the youth.
“The society is also working on a book entitled History of the Bidayuh. And in the long run, we aim to become one of Sarawak’s main public speaking and debating centres,” he said.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil who was among the guests, announced a contribution of RM50,000 to DBLS in support of its objective and vision.
The dinner drew over 300 attendees, including current and former Bidayuh leaders, community leaders, academicians and members of the public.
One of the highlights of the evening was the prize presentation to two Serian students, John Klyveld and Francis Engkalang, for their outstanding performance in the public speaking competition organised by DBLS.
