Adet Punan nears historic recognition with April 21 workshop to finalise century-old customary law

Sanok and Nicholas (right) calling for Punan leaders from across Sarawak to attend the Adet Punan workshop to be held on April 2, 2026 at the Golden Bay Hotel in Bintulu.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, April 14: A landmark workshop to fine-tune and pave the way for the formal recognition of Adet Punan, the customary law of the Punan community whose codification has remained incomplete since the 1930s, will be organised by the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (MAIS) on April 21 at the Golden Bay Hotel in Bintulu.

The Punan National Association (PNA), together with Punan community leaders Penghulu Nicholas Mering, Penghulu Sanok Magai and Penghulu Nyipa Tingang, have invited Punan leaders from across Sarawak to attend the workshop, describing it as a pivotal moment in the State’s history as efforts to formalise Adet Punan reach their final stage under the leadership of MAIS, headed by Dora Jok and her department.

According to a statement today, the recognition of Adet Punan marks the culmination of a process that began nearly a century ago when the Brooke administration initiated efforts to codify Punan customary law in the 1930s, with significant progress achieved by 1935 before the initiative was disrupted by events such as the Second World War, the Japanese occupation of Sarawak, and the eventual end of Brooke rule.

Following the war, the British colonial administration prioritised development and did not resume the codification process, leaving the work unfinished and later inherited by the independent government of Sarawak.

Now, in 2026, through sustained and coordinated efforts by multiple government agencies and ministries, the long-delayed recognition of Adet Punan is set to be realised, reflecting the resilience and patience of the Punan community.

The workshop in Bintulu will serve as a key platform to bring together Punan leaders for a final round of fine-tuning, with organisers stressing that the voices, knowledge and lived experiences of community leaders are essential to ensuring the customary law is accurate, legitimate and enduring.

They emphasised that the formal recognition of Adet Punan will place the Punan community firmly within Sarawak’s broader customary framework, alongside other indigenous groups whose traditions are preserved and safeguarded by MAIS.

All Punan community leaders have been urged to attend the workshop, with organisers highlighting that their participation is crucial to shaping a customary law that truly reflects the identity, values and traditions of the Punan people.

Further enquiries about the workshop can be directed to PNA president Donny Dhwie at 012-809 5919. — DayakDaily