During the recent working visit to Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Mohd Najib awarded an RM4 million windfall to Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) headquarters at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, Kuching.

His arrival was welcomed with full traditional Bidayuh sights and sounds.

The allocation is from the federal goverment for the DBNA to build a new multi-purpose hall near the headquarters.

According to Sarawak State Planning Unit (SPU) 2008 Statistics, there are 166,756 Bidayuhs from 2.1 million total population of Sarawak. Simple mathematics – if we’re to distribute that RM4 million to all 166,756 Bidayuhs, each of us will get RM23.98. That’s a very little amount  of money. My hope is that the DBNA would not spend lavishly on the multipurpose hall but put aside some amount into the education fund especially for assisting bright Bidayuh students from poor families.

YBs, community leaders (Temenggong, Pemanca, Councillor, Ketua Kaum, Political bodies, Religious Leaders, Professionals, Educationists, etc) came in full force together with the Bidayuh rakyat.

After the ceremony, YAB Datuk Patinggi Mohd Najib took some time to mingle around with the rakyat.

The Deputy Prime Minister also browses through the exhibition accompanied by YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang, YB Datuk Michael Manyin anak Jawong Datuk Michael Manyin and YB Datuk Peter Nansien.

Thank you to the Deputy PM and to the federal government for recognising the Bidayuh community and acknowledging our needs.