In less than two weeks 2018 is unfolding upon us. I feel therefore compelled to look back and recall how eventful 2017 has been lest we lose sight of some of the more notable events or milestones achieved by the Chamber during this year.
DCCI had its AGM in April during which I was returned unopposed. At the meeting we also had to bid farewell to some of the 2014/2017 Supreme Council Members and welcomed new members for the 2017/2020 term .Each AGM sees some new faces to ensure the Supreme Council continues to function in tune with the changing business environment. The sub-committees are reconstituted to include members with relevant experience and aptitude for roles each committee embarks upon.
The AGM was preceded by a Dinner Talk by Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandut , the Chairman of RECODA on projects and some of the ingredients for success in tendering business for jobs available in RECODA area. We are grateful for his ever willing to share with the Chamber ways to improve performance of our members.
During the year some of our members participated in the Grand Opening of West Kalimatan Gawai Dayak Bazaar by HE the Gabenor of Kalbar. A large number of our members also went to Sabah to attend the KCCI/DCCI Tadau Kaamatan/ Gawai on July 1st, 2017 in Kundasang. Then later in the year, in mid October, to be exact, over sixty of our members went to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia to look at how small business people are curbing livelihood from their own environment.
The year saw some members given state and federal awards. YBhg. Datuk Mutang Tagal received his datukship from the Agong. YBhg. Dato’ Bernard Agan received his award from HE the Governor of Sarawak whilst YBhg. Datuk Jun Ngau Wan received his from HE the Governor of Melaka. Several other members received lower, but very significant awards. Congratulations and best wishes to all the award recipients.
DCCI lost yet another community leader in the person of YBhg. Temenggong Dato’ James Jimbun this year after the loss of YBhg Temenggong Datuk Kenneth Kanyan last year. The Chamber is sad to lose very important founding members. In this grief the Chamber is grateful that our other founding member Wilfred Billy Panyau was appointed early this year as the Iban Temenggong for Kapit Division. Congratulations to him for the appointment and may his work as community leader compliment the work of the Chamber.
In business, some of our members received accolades and awards for their excellent performances in the classes of their fields. To name a few, Ir Janang Bungsu, YBhg. Datuk Nelson Balang Rining, Mdm Rheineld Minor Panyau, Datuk Jun Ngau Wan, Mr. Peru Balan Ding and Mr. Billy Usit (Remang) are acknowledged for various achievements.
Training courses and promotion exercises in managing and registering homestay business have benefited several operators and on November 24th, 2017 the Chamber launched the DCCI “Dayak Homestay in Sarawak” Website: dccihomestay.com. All these could not have been achieved without the cooperation and assistance from TERAJU and INSKEN. We thank these two agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department and we record our grateful appreciations to YB. Datuk Amar Douglas Ugah, the Deputy Chief Minister for launching the website.
Year 2018 will no doubt be a very challenging one. Never mind the federal general elections but in one way or another ripple effects will be felt by some of our members. The new sub-committees, I have no doubt, will be working hard to perform their functions. Some training and courses will be available to some of our members especially those in the construction, agro business and tourism sectors. It is my hope that our members remain close to our office so that they are made aware of courses conducted by various agencies to improve their skills and professionalism.
Perhaps our most important achievement during the year was to receive the letter of approval for our application for a piece of State Land along Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, Kuching for the Chamber’s headquarters building. A joint development committee has been formed to develop that piece of land together with that awarded to Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF). The committee is headed by YB Datuk Amar Douglas Ugah, who is also the Chairman of DCF. We thank YAB the Chief Minister for the piece of land and we acknowledge the efforts put by YB Datuk Amar Douglas in the process of securing the land for DCCI. In not too distant future we hope to unveil the development plan for our proposed Wisma DCCI.
While scribbling this message, my thoughts were always with our hardworking and very thoughtful Advisor Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Celestine Ujang who is enduring a tough medical condition. We pray that he remains full of courage and that the Almighty Lord be always by his side to give him comfort and peace.
Before signing off, I wish also to place on record my appreciation and thanks to our hard working office staff. To all our Advisors, Supreme Council Members, our members and staff and friends of the Chamber, Merry Christmas and Happy & Prosperous Year 2018.
