DBNA hails lodging property as 2025 milestone

KUCHING (Jan 10): The launch of DB Stay marked a significant milestone for the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) last year.

In this regard, DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik said since commencing operations last September, the lodging property and its other facilities had received encouraging response.

“We hope such encouraging responses will continue this year and in the years to come.

“We welcome government departments and agencies, the corporate and private sectors, and other associations to utilise our facilities here,” he said in his speech for DBNA New Year 2026 gathering at the association’s multi-purpose hall here on Friday night.

Also present at the event were former state minister and former DBNA advisor Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong, Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) chairman Datu William Patrick Nyigor, and Bidayuh Graduates Association (BGA) representative Prof Andrew Ragai Henry Rigit.

DB Stay was officially launched on Sept 13 last year by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who also announced an additional RM4 million allocation to furnish the building, topping up the initial funding of RM16 million.

Located at the DBNA headquarters at Jalan Kumpang here, the nine-storey DB Stay offers both hotel rooms and hostel-style accommodations, as well as a rooftop event space.

A management team is dedicated to overseeing the operations, aiming to generate income for the association.

Adding on, Ik Pahon also called upon the Bidayuh community to remain united and uphold their cultural identity to ensure continued progress.