Written by Dr. John Brian Anthony

Introduction

on 18th Oct 2008 night Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS), the women wing of Sarawak Dayak National Union is having an annual dinner in Sibu Civic Centre. The SIDS Chairpeerson is YB Senator Datuk Empiang Jabu and by virtue of being the Women’s Wing Chairman, she is an automatic Vice President in SDNU. The other automatic Vice President is the Dayak Youth Wing with Dr. Dusit as its Acting Chairman.

It is important to note that all must become SDNU member first before they could joined SIDS or its Youth Wing. SDNU/SIDS and the Youth Wing must work closely together to ensure success in implementing its various initiatives.

Current Activities

• September Opening of Sibu Jaya Branch
• 27th September – SIDS Dinner in Serikei
• 27th September – parental talk in Sri Aman
• 1-3rd Oct – study visit to Pontianak to meet Dewan Adat Dayak
• 4th October – SIDS Parent / Student motivational talk
• 18th October – SIDS dinner in Sibu
• 18th October – SDNU to participate in Education Motivational talk in Lamanak through Dr. Dusit
• 19th October – visiting SDNU property site in Sibu / Bintangor, Serikei and Saratok
• 25th October – SDNU installation night in Saratok

There are some dates for SDNU/SIDS events in November but the date cannot be announced because there are not fixed yet.

• Dayak leadership Symposium
• SDNU 52nd anniversary
• Visit by Dewan Adat Dayak from Kalimantan
• First 2009 State Gawai Dayak Preparatory meeting

Other Initiative that has not being decided but in the plate:

1. Develop certain SDNU landed properties – mixed development
2. Incorporate the SDNU “Special Business Vehicle” – eg. Dayak handicraft and provide financial products
3. To come out with a concept to help Dayak workers – eg. Union
4. Special Fund for Organzing 2009 Gawai Dayak
5. Special fund to help slow learners in 2009
6. Setting SDNU Branch in West Malaysia
7. Networking with other Dayak Organization: BDGA, SDGA

SDNU is encouraging Dayak to set up new branches in order to carry out specific work to improve the life of Dayak in their respective area.

Conclusion

SDNU is undergoing rebranding exercise and all helps from the Dayak communities are highly appreciated. The Dayak should not fear the “punitive politic of development” because if we allow that to continue it will only serve to disempower ourselves.