Dayak Association Miri: Revive Borneo Literature Bureau to empower Iban language

MIRI (Nov 18): The Dayak Association Miri (DAM) has urged the Sarawak government to support its effort in reviving the Borneo Literature Bureau (BLB) as a platform to empower the Iban language.

DAM advisor Senator Datuk Dr Nuing Jeluing also proposed for BLB to be placed under Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka (DBP) as a small unit that will monitor and be responsible for the implementation of the Iban language.

“Last year, we had a discussion on this matter and in fact we had already voiced out this proposal last year, but until now there has been no response thus far from the relevant parties,” he said when officiating at the finals of the Bahasa Iban Piala YB Senator Datuk Dr Nuing Jeluing public speaking competition at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri today.

Dr Nuing said efforts to revive BLB will facilitate the intellectuals and professionals in the language to further empower the Iban language, especially in Sarawak.

He said that DAM will continue to fight for the matter and will follow-up with DBP in the near future.

Meanwhile, DAM president Penghulu Wilfred Mac, when met by reporters, urged the state government to speed up their proposal to build an Iban Language Foundation in the state.

He said that the proposal had been voiced out by deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in 2017.

“Unfortunately, we had not heard any news on this proposal until now. We therefore reminded the state government to reconsider this proposal,” he said.

On the public speaking competition, Mike Rawing Chris Christopherson of SMK Marudi emerged champion and took home the challenge trophy as well as cash amounting RM750 and a certificate.

Second place went to Patriricia Lalang Juman, also from SMK Marudi, received RM600 cash and a certificate, while Refalina Tarum of Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang Miri finished third and took home RM350 cash as well as a certificate.

A total of 10 participants made it to the finals of the competition, which was organised by the Youth section of DAM.