KUCHING: A proposal to establish a community burial ground in Siol Kandis was raised during the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Siol Branch 62nd anniversary dinner on Saturday night (March 14).
Held at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre along Jalan Stampin, the dinner gathered members and community leaders while highlighting several local development needs.
SDNU president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, who is also the Pakan assemblyman and adviser in the Premier’s Office for Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak (M-FICORD), was represented by the union’s vice-president and Tamin assemblyman, Christopher Gira Sambang.
In his speech, Christopher said the rapidly growing population in the Siol Kandis area has created a need to plan for adequate community facilities, including burial grounds.
“The Siol Kandis area is growing rapidly along with the increasing population, and whenever an area develops, basic community facilities must also be planned properly,” he said.
He noted that the leadership of the SDNU Siol Kandis Branch had raised the matter and suggested that the branch prepare an official proposal to the state government requesting land to be designated as a community burial ground.
“I suggest that the SDNU Siol Kandis Branch prepare an official proposal to the state government requesting a suitable piece of land to be designated as a community burial ground in Siol Kandis,” he said.
Christopher said the proposal should include details such as the proposed location, the size of land required, the status of the land, and a basic management plan before it is submitted to the relevant authorities including the Sarawak Land and Survey Department.
He added that he is prepared to assist in forwarding the proposal to the state government once the official application has been prepared.
Christopher said addressing community needs remains part of the responsibility of leaders alongside broader development efforts.
The dinner also served as a platform to reflect on SDNU’s journey since its establishment 62 years ago.
“SDNU was not created just for the sake of gathering the community, but for the sake of ensuring the Dayak community continues to progress and move forward,” he said.
During the dinner, Christopher also announced a contribution of RM20,000 to SDNU Siol Branch and RM10,000 to its youth wing to support their activities and programmes.
