BINTULU: The Kayan community must remain united, invest in education and preserve its cultural heritage if it is to thrive in an increasingly competitive future.
The advice came from Sarawak Kayan Association (PKS) president Dato Dennis Ngau said at the Dau Ledoh 2026 celebration dinner here on Saturday.
Addressing more than 800 guests, the Telang Usan assemblyman described Dau Ledoh as more than a cultural festival, calling it a symbol of unity, gratitude and the collective aspirations of the Kayan people.
Dennis said the annual celebration continued to play a significant role in bringing together Kayan communities from across Sarawak despite migration to urban centres.
“Wherever we may live, we remain one Kayan family,” he said.
He explained that Dau Ledoh, which translates broadly as a day of joy and togetherness, carries deep cultural, social and spiritual significance for the Kayan people.
“It is not merely a festive gathering. It reflects the soul and identity of the Kayan people,” he said.
The PKS president stressed that cultural preservation remained a critical challenge as younger generations increasingly grew up in urban environments.
He urged parents to ensure their children remained connected to their ancestral roots by learning the Kayan language, understanding traditional customs and maintaining links with their home villages.
Dennis also highlighted the role of education as the primary driver of social mobility and community advancement.
With Sarawak pursuing ambitious development goals under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, he said the Kayan community must equip itself to participate in emerging sectors such as digital technology, renewable energy, tourism, education and the modern economy.
“If we are not prepared now, we risk being left behind,” he warned.
He called for more Kayan professionals in critical fields including medicine, engineering, law, education, information technology and entrepreneurship.
He also urged younger Kayan generations living in urban areas to maintain their original village addresses on official documents as a means of preserving ties with their ancestral communities.
“This connection to our homeland and heritage should never be lost,” he said.
Dennis noted that PKS, established in the 1990s, currently operates through eight branches in Sarawak, namely Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, Marudi, Naha A, Sungai Asap, Belaga and Sibu.
Efforts are also under way to establish additional branches in Long Lama, Kanowit, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu.
He said the association currently has approximately 3,000 registered members and continues to serve as a platform for promoting education, economic development, cultural preservation and community representation.
Despite the relatively small population of the Kayan community in Sarawak, which Dennis estimated at around 100,000 people, he said unity remained the community’s greatest strength.
“If we are united, our voices will be heard. If we are united, it will be easier to defend our interests. If we are united, our young people will be better prepared to face the future,” he said.
He urged Kayan communities throughout Sarawak to continue supporting PKS and work collectively towards the advancement of future generations.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister cum Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing was represented by Steven Kong Kai Seng at the dinner which was also attended by community leaders, representatives of various Kayan associations throughout Sarawak and members of the wider Orang Ulu community.
