KUCHING: Community leaders must continue upholding customary laws with integrity and fairness to ensure the survival of Bidayuh traditions, said Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
He described Adat as the law of the people, created by the people and for the people, stressing that its survival relies not only on legal recognition but also on the community’s commitment to uphold its value.
“Customs must evolve with time while staying true to the spirit of unity and harmony,” he said when officiating at the Symposium Adat Bidayuh 2025 at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Multipurpose Hall here on Wednesday.
Themed “Preservation and Development of Adat Bidayuh,” the one-day symposium gathered over 550 participants from Lundu, Bau, Padawan, Siburan, Serian and Tebedu, including community leaders, government representatives and researchers.
Sagah commended the Sarawak Council for Native Customs & Traditions (MAIS) for reviewing the Adat Bidayuh 1994, a long-standing customary code central to Bidayuh social structure and governance.
He also stressed the importance of protecting tanah adat such as Tana’ Ratus, Tana’ Mowang, Tana’ Plaman, Tana’ Tu’an Obuoh and Bung-bung Bidayuh, describing ancestral land as the cornerstone of cultural survival.
“Our customary land is our survival. If we lose it, we risk losing our future,” he said.
Sagah expressed confidence that the initiative would herald a “renaissance of adat” that safeguards heritage while guiding future generations toward unity and progress.
The symposium, organised by MAIS in collaboration with the Bidayuh Ethnic Research Section, also presented preliminary findings from the ongoing review of the Adat Bidayuh, which has involved field studies since 2022 with the participation of local Ketua Masyarakat or community heads and experts from all subgroups.
MAIS secretary, Mackos Sibong said the symposium provided a platform to empower grassroots leaders and gather valuable feedback.
“This symposium is not just an academic exercise. It is a living dialogue about our identity, values and responsibilities,” he said.
The event also saw participation from DBNA branches, the Bung Sadong Heritage Association (PEWARIS), the Bidayuh Graduate Association (BGA), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), heads of government departments and local community leaders.
