Latest news with #SDNU
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
‘Little Borneo Birdie' treats pre-Gawai Dayak event guests to award-winning dance show
Dion stages a delightful performance for the guest at the SDNU Taman Heng Guan's pre-Gawai dinner. — Photo by Churchill Edward KUCHING (May 26): Young talent Dion Das Louis, who is globally known as 'Little Borneon Birdie', staged an award-winning show at a pre-Gawai Dayak dinner at the Christian Ecumenical Centre Jalan Stampin here last Saturday. The event, hosted by Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Taman Heng Guan branch, featured the nine-year-old talented performer. At the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCPA) held at Long Beach in California, USA last year, Dion was declared winner in the 'Mini Solo National and Folklore' category. At the All Division Champion (ADC), he triumphed in the Junior Ethnic Dance category. When met, SDNU Taman Heng Guan chairman Peter Moni Selat said he felt honoured and proud that Dion, like himself, is a resident of Taman Heng Guan in Matang. 'Dion has been given monetary incentives by this SDNU branch in acknowledgement of his efforts, including his contribution towards promoting Malaysia and Sarawak in particular, and encouraging him to further develop his art. 'The dance was, in fact, inspired by the traditional Iban 'ngajat', blended with the stances of the 'Peacock' and the 'Hornbill',' said Peter. Dion was accompanied by his parents, Louis Lansam and Edina Lanying at the event. The 'Little Bornean Birdie,' has been selected to represent Malaysia at the Dance World Cup Finals in Burgos, Spain, scheduled for this July 3 to 12. He earned a spot after winning the Dance World Cup Malaysia Qualifier in the 'Mini Solo National and Folklore' categories, held at the Sabah Culture and Arts Department premises in January this year. In addition to this achievement, Dion clinched the prestigious 'Best Solo Mini' title during the competition. Meanwhile, in representing SDNU president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom at the dinner, union secretary-general Gerard Joseph said it would be imperative for all Dayak members to register with SDNU so that it would have a bigger voice. 'With 50 branches across Sarawak, SDNU is currently seen as a platform to unite all Sarawakians through social, welfare, and recreational programmes,' said Gerard. Mawan, also advisor in Sarawak Premier's Office (Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development), had pledged a government grant of RM10,000 to SDNU Taman Heng Guan. Moreover, Ooohaa Cafe donated RM10,000 to the branch. dance performance Dion Das Louis Gawai Dayak lead Little Borneon Birdie
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak deputy minister reminds NGOs to use MRP funds for core activities
Snowdan (right) presents the MRP cheque worth RM20,000 to SDNU information officer Churchill Drem. KUCHING (May 8): Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been reminded to spend minor rural project (MRP) funds allocated to them for their core purposes. State Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said it would defeat the purpose of presenting funds to the NGOs if said monies are not used as intended. 'Although we don't monitor how these funds are being used, we do hope they are only used for the NGOs' core purposes. 'For instance, investing the funds in fixed deposits may seem prudent on the surface, but it is not a wise use of the funds. Thus, it defeats the purpose,' he said. The Balai Ringin assemblyman had on Monday presented a total of RM125,000 in MRP funds to nine NGOs, including the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU). He had pledged the allocation to SDNU during the union's Christmas gathering here last year. funds MRP ngos SDNU Snowdan Lawan spend
Borneo Post
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
SDNU proposes ‘Pendam Temuai' for non-resident Dayaks in Kuching or Samarahan
Mawan (fourth right) and Gira (fourth left) show a home-made machete souvenir gifted by villager Peter Sambang (second left) while (from left) Amarjeet, Pani, Jos, Ghani and Catherine look on. KUCHING (May 8): Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) is planning to apply for land to set up a 'Pendam Temuai' (visitors' grave) in either Kuching or Samarahan, said its deputy president Christopher Gira Sambang. He said this was because the SDNU graveyard located at Siol Kandis here was only, in principle, for members of the branch and their family. Additionally, there have been no more plots available at the SDNU graveyard at Jalan Chawan. 'Of late, there have been a few cases where deceased members of the Dayak community from outside Kuching were buried at the SDNU Siol Kandis graveyard, but only on a case-by-case basis. 'The situation has now become concerning for Dayak people, especially when the deceased persons are non-residents of Kuching or Samarahan, or non-Christian. There were a few cases when non-residents (of Kuching or Samarahan) and non-Christian Dayaks who came to Kuching for medical attention suddenly passed away. 'This then caused a dilemma for the family members when they could not send their remains home outside Kuching, as there is no immediate 'Pendam Temuai' or 'Pendam Antarabangsa' (international graveyard) – unless they are Christians, the family members may be given the offer to negotiate for a plot but even then, there would be no guarantee for success and only causes anxiety,' he said. He said as a short-term solution, the SDNU Siol Kandis graveyard should be opened to Dayaks not from Kuching or Samarahan. Gira also suggested the graveyard committee impose an appropriate fee that is distinct from the one imposed on branch members. He added he had made a similar call in his speech during the SDNU Siol Kandis 'Santai' programme on April 27, which the union's president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom attended as guest-of-honour. During the programme, Mawan pledged a RM10,000 grant to SDNU Siol Kandis, while Gira and SDNU vice president Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong both pledged RM5,000 each. Mawan also pledged RM10,000 to the Kampung Siol Kandis village security and development committee (JKKK) and an additional RM5,000 to Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Siol Kandis. Gira also pledged RM5,000 each to SDNU Central Youth wing, SIDS Siol Kandis and the Kampung Siol Kandis JKKK. Also present were SDNU Siol Kandis branch chairman Pani Igoh, SDNU Central Youth chief Amarjeet John Gendi, SIDS Siol Kandis chairperson Catherine Jawi, Kampung Siol Kandis headman Ghani Udai, Penghulu Jos Jawa and other SDNU executive committee members. Christopher Gira Sambang Kuching-Samarahan lead Pendam Temuai SDNU
The Star
24-04-2025
- The Star
Sibu workshop helps Bahasa Iban teachers use AI in lessons
Chambai (second from left) presenting a workshop certificate to a participant. With him are (from right) Nicola and Ricky. TO MAKE Bahasa Iban more appealing to students, the Sibu branch of the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) has called on educators to use modern technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), in teaching the language. SDNU chairman Chambai Lindong said teaching techniques had come a long way from the traditional chalk-and-blackboard methods used in the past. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of a three-day SDNU Sibu workshop organised by the Education Ministry (MOE) and Sarawak Education Department. 'The workshop was held to introduce and share skills as well as best practices for incorporating AI tools in Bahasa Iban lessons in today's digital era,' said Chambai. The programme, he said, also aimed to enhance students' interest in learning Bahasa Iban. 'Using interactive videos and apps can make learning more engaging and enjoyable. 'While animations might be complex, simple videos and visual aids can definitely spark interest in the language.' Chambai also urged teachers to take part in similar initiatives run by MOE or non-governmental organisations. 'Holding such programmes isn't easy due to challenges such as limited funding and resources. 'Nevertheless, I hope other SDNU branches and Dayak associations across Sarawak will work with the relevant partners in hosting similar activities, especially to promote and strengthen the Iban language,' he added. Chambai expressed gratitude to Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew for contributing funds that helped make the workshop possible. He said the SDNU Sibu branch was keeping pace with digital developments by integrating AI into various initiatives. The workshop drew 39 teachers from primary schools and eight teachers from secondary schools in Sibu. Also present at the workshop were Sarawak Education Department assistant director (learning sector) Ricky Adon Chuat, MOE Educational Technology Division assistant director Nicola Sigat and SDNU Sibu vice-chairman and education bureau head Johnady Janton.
