Mawan: Conference provides useful inputs to Iban community

Mawan: Conference provides useful inputs to Iban community

By : Famas

Date Posted : Tuesday 15-Oct-2013

KAPIT: Senior Minister and Minister of Social development, Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom in his winding up speech at the Sarawak Iban Community Leaders Conference with the theme ‘Mansang Pegari’ (Progress In Excellence) said the conference provided a lot of useful inputs for the Iban community.

 “I have followed the conference well and I observed that there are a lot of inputs which are very useful in our Iban society especially on education. Ibans must be well educated. Education improves one’s quality of life. When you move to a new place, if you are illiterate, you are at a great disadvantage. It is education that makes the difference. If not of my education, I would not be who I am today and that without education, one could not achieve high,” Mawan said.

 He also pointed out that the concept of business must also be looked into. 

 “This is a necessity because of the course and process of urbanisation. The Ibans must venture into businesses to enhance their economic status and way of life. The key is to change your mindset and follow the trend of development. We need to change, we need to organise, we need to show our unity. Until and unless, we are united, we will continue to be left behind,” he added.

 Mawan also appealed to the Ibans to think of their race and unite under the present government. He warned that if they split then they would fall and cautioned that it is through unity that they have the strength and able to do more and move forward.

 At the conference, four important topics were presented namely ‘The Philosophy, Principles And Factors Contributing To Rural-Urban Migration’, ‘The Social-Economic Impacts Of Rural-Urban Migration On Iban Women And Youth’, ‘The Impacts Of Rural-Urban Migration On Iban Culture And Tradition’ and ‘Iban Community Leaders: Their Roles And Functions’.

 The first paper on Philosophy, Principles And Factors Contributing To Rural-Urban Migration was presented by Associate Professor Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat from UNIMAS, Kuching.  The second paper on Social-Economic Impacts Of Rural-Urban Migration On Iban Women And Youth’ was presented by Associate Professor Dr Madeline Berma from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). 

Meanwhile, the third paper on the Impacts Of Rural-urban Migration On Iban Culture And Tradition’ was presented by Dr Robert Menua Saleh, a research director of the Tun Jugah Foundation, Kuching. The moderator for the three papers was Datu Jaul Samion, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Land Development. 

 The final paper on ‘Iban Community Leaders: Their Roles And Functions’ was presented by Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development with Dato Sri Edmund Langgu Saga as the moderator.

 Meanwhile, the panel members for the first Q & A (Question and Answer) session were Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Datu Vasco Sabat Singkang and Temenggong Dato James Jimbun Pungga whereas the panel members for the second Q &A session were Wilson Ugak Penghulu Kumbong and Datu Nillie Tangai.

 Among those present were Senior Minister and Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, organising chairman of conference who is also Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, Deputy Speaker of Dewan Rakyat, Datuk Doris Brodie, Assistant Ministers namely Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Datuk John Sikie Tayai, and the chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie Anak Irok, Member of Parliament for Hulu Rajang, Wilson Ugak Kumbong, the State Assemblyman for Katibas, Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan, Kapit Resident, Fedrick John George, political secretaries to the Chief Minister Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Tengku Geruna, Isik Utau and Daniel Jubang and Kapit District Officer, Elvis Didit.