Sikie (centre) speaking to the media after the closing of the ‘Jaku Iban enggau Pengelandik Jari Tikas Sarawak’ symposium in Miri on Aug 3, 2024.

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By Tedong Rantayy

MIRI, Aug 4: The establishment of a Centre for Ethnic Languages Development and Cultural Advancement to develop the Iban language and a Unit for Other Languages (UNIFOL) were among the ten resolutions finalised during the ‘Jaku Iban enggau Pengelandik Jari Tikas Sarawak’ symposium.

Minister in the Premier’s Department, Datuk John Sikie Tayai, also confirmed that the resolutions will be submitted to the Sarawak government.

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“We ask (the Sarawak government) for approval,” he said to reporters during the closing of the two-day symposium yesterday (Aug 3).

The symposium saw the participation of over 400 members of the Iban community, including grassroots leaders.

The resolutions focused on the development and preservation of the Iban language, as well as the enhancement and promotion of Iban handicrafts.

The remaining resolutions are:

  • Revising the 2009 Iban language system in schoolbooks to align with the new Iban language system.
  • Form a committee to refine the Iban language system book for schools, which has not been revised in 15 years.
  • Include activities related to Iban literature.
  • Increase the intake for the Bachelor of Iban Language Teaching programme to 100 students per intake from 2025 to 2030 to address the shortage of Iban language teachers.
  • Expedite the completion of the Bachelor of Iban Language Education programme at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).
  • Establish a coffee centre to trade handicrafts, agricultural products, and more.
  • Award ‘Datukship’ to individuals recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) or other international organisations, such as ‘pua kumbu’ weaver Bangie Embol.
  • Set up handicraft centres in all districts in Sarawak to collect and sell handicraft products.

Also present was Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Sarawak, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, who chaired the symposium committee. — DayakDaily