KUCHING:  Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) is not only for Ibans but benefits all Dayak communities.

Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi said therefore the presentation of education awards and incentives to children from all Dayak community is a step in the right direction for SDGA.

"The greatest challenge for Dayak-based NGO today is perhaps to quash misperceptions that some are dominated by Ibans," he said when receiving a courtesy call from SDGA fund-raising organising committee at his office in Wisma Tun Jugah here yesterday.

Those calling on Nanta were organising chairman Edwin Tawie, SDGA treasurer-general Johnny Jalin Jarit, its exco Albert Jalin Abol and publicity associate Churchill Edward.

When told that SDGA comprised those from various ethnic groups, Nanta said: "I must agree with you that is the best way to dispel misperceptions."

Dayak NGOs must be true to their cause apart from remaining apolitical to enable their original objectives to be achieved, he said.

"If they do this, there will be no room for any quarter to get suspicious of then but instead members will gain the respect of the public.  Dayak NGOs must remain objective and work for the betterment for the public at large," he said.

Nanta commended efforts by SDGA to bring people together through their various programmes, especially the fund-raising dinner tonight (Saturday) which include the presentation of education excellence awards which SDGA called ‘DEEDS’ and the launch of its new website.

Nanta, also a member of SDGA, said in developed countries, NGOs are part of their system and sometimes contributed in policy-making. He hoped to see almost all NGOs in the country play such a role.

Nanta advised SDGA not to neglect their website but maintain it all the time with useful information including its membership application forms and permitted e-government forms so that all levels of Dayak society - including those abroad - can have access to them.

He said constant maintenance of the website reflected the commitment of SDGA to its cause and struggle. Edwin said Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Dato Sri William Mawan would officiate at the SDGA dinner to be held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho here.

He said Mawan, who is also Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president, will be presentating ‘Suara Emas’ (Golden Voice) as part of the SDGA fund-raising highlights.

Public response to the dinner is ‘overwhelming’ with 80 dinner tables sold out.

Source:  The Borneo Post, 22 August 2009