SIDS: Gathering of Dayak Women ...

SIDS Sibu Delegates

Honorable Datuk Senator Empiang Jabu (2nd right) with SIDS Sibu officers



Delegates & Observers from the various branches

Honorable Datuk Senator Empiang Jabu (Chairman SIDS), Honorable Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim, Mr. Mengga (President SDNU), Mdm. Senorita Linang (Hon. Secretary)

The meeting...

Last weekend I was in Kuching attending the one-day Biannual General Meeting of the Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (Sarawak Dayak National Union, Women Wing). It was an interesting meeting. Its always a joy to meet and reconnect with the ladies from all corners of Sarawak! To see the various beautiful kebaya, baju dero, etc.. - a very colorful experience! With the various fashions on display, I equate it to the Fashion Week in Paris or New York!! Maybe ... Fashion Week of Borneo!!!

I had attended many of these meeting, since joining SIDS, Sibu; first as Secretary and later when I took over the chairmanship of Sibu branch. Dayak women had indeed progressed over the last 5 decades - since the formation of SIDS in 1957! We now have the FIRST Dayak woman appointed Senator - Honorable Datuk Senator Empiang Jabu. Another FIRST, is also the appointment of a Dayak woman as Temenggong (Datuk Tra Zehnder) who was later appointed as Ketua Majlis Adat Istiadat. Her absence was greatly felt from the BGM; we pray for her continual good health! A great and inspirational woman!!

Was the meeting fruitful? What knowledge, new ideas, etc did we gain?

The meeting went on the usual mode of reporting & election. Dayak women, we need to ask ourselves ... What next? With a membership of about 12,300 women, all over the state - I would think, in numbers there is strength. Change is inevitable; and Dayak women must adapt to the changing environment.

At the meeting, I raised 3 matters:-

1. Issue of membership of SDNU & SIDS - You got to understand the constitution to realize the issue at hand and I would not go into its details here. A resolution to change the wordings of the constitution in relation to the Women's Wing was proposed and accepted. Earlier I had also proposed that the submission of the SDNU membership forms by SIDS members be extended until the end of this year and also requested to waive the SDNU membership fees for 2 years. We await for the next course of actions by SIDS/SDNU on the matter.

2. Annual dialogue with branch chairman - In the years that I had been with SIDS; there had never been a dialogue session with the Chairman and the Executive Committee. I suggested that this should be arranged as it is important to meet and discuss various aspects of Dayak women issues/development. I had also mentioned the possibility of composing the Dayak Women Agenda.

In this matter, Datuk Senator had asked each one of the branch chairmen to come up with ideas/agenda for discussions; so I hope all of us will do that. Let us take up the challenge and get back to Datuk in a month!!

3. Organize annual program e.g. seminar/development program - a seminar should be organized annually for Dayak women to educate/develop us in various fields/subjects. Where would the budget come from? That was part of the problem raised. Annually, the State government gives grant to SIDS which could be used for this purpose or it could also be through smart partnership with other agencies in organizing the event.

That's all my thoughts to be shared ... others ... keep to myself!!! :D