Resolution calls for setting-up of Unit for Other Languages

MIRI (Aug 5): The call to set up a Unit for Other Languages ​​(Unifol) in Sarawak is among seven motions under the ‘Iban Language Resolution’, which would be submitted to the state government.

This was presented during the ‘Jaku Iban and Pengelandik Jari’ (Iban Language and Crafts) Symposium 2024, which concluded on Saturday.

The Unifol proposal came next after the motion for the Sarawak government to establish a centre meant for the development of ethnic languages ​​and culture in the state.

The third motion under the resolution was to revise the Iban Language System in school books published in 2009, aimed at it being relevant to the new Iban language system.

The fourth motion was for the setting-up of a committee tasked with improving the Iban Language System books in schools, in view of the existing publications printed over the past 15 years had never been revised.

The fifth motion was a request to include competitions and traditional games related to the Iban language in the District Education Office (PPD)’s calendar of activities, so as to encourage the younger generation to participate in these activities, and at the same time, instil in them the love for Iban literature.

The sixth motion was to expand the recruitment for the Bachelor’s Degree in Iban Language Studies programme at the Teachers Education Institute (IPG) to 100 people per intake, starting from the 2025-2030 term, so as to meet the demand for Iban Language teachers.

The seventh proposal was to introduce a Bachelor’s Degree in Iban Language Education programme in Uinversiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

In addition to the seven, there were also three motions under the ‘Crafts Resolution’, which were also submitted at the symposium.

The first called for the establishment of a dedicated collection centre for handicrafts, agricultural products and other items, out to help traders and artisans wanting to market their offerings.

The second motion was for the Sarawak government to confer the honorific title of ‘Datuk’ on outstanding Sarawakians who are recognised by international bodies, such as the ‘Pua Kumbu’ weaver of the Iban community, Bangie Embol, whose expertise has attained recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

The third motion was to establish a handicraft centre in every district across Sarawak, where it would be a platform for the artisans to send and sell handicraft products.

All the resolutions were submitted by the symposium committee chaired by the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, to the event’s guest-of-honour, Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, who represented Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the closing ceremony on Saturday evening.

The two-day symposium, held at the Imperial Hotel here, welcomed 400 participants coming from all over Sarawak.

In his remarks, Sikie gave assurance that the resolutions would be submitted to the Sarawak government, through Uggah, for consideration.

“We hope that all these resolutions would be reviewed and considered, and hopefully be approved,” added Sikie, who later presented prizes to the top participants of the traditional Iban handcraft competitions, of which the categories were traditional mat-weaving, ‘marek empang’ (women’s traditional beaded collar-shoulder ornament), ‘sugu tinggi’ (women’s traditional headdress), ‘terabai’ (traditional warrior’s shield) and traditional Iban cloth-weaving.