07-05-2025
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
