By Jacob Achoi
BAU, Sept 13: A total of 43 individuals from the Bau district, including recipients from Lundu under the Opar constituency, were awarded their native status certificates today.
With this latest group, the number of recipients officially received their native status certificates has risen to 86 since the first ceremony.
At the certificate handover event held at the Bau District Office, Deputy Minister of Transport (Maritime and Riverine) Dato Henry Harry Jinep highlighted that the issuance process is ongoing.
“The process of granting Sarawak Bumiputera status is continuous, with community leaders assisting in identifying eligible individuals,” he told reporters after the ceremony today.
According to him, the Bau District Office has received 160 applications to date.
He added that the approval process typically takes one to two months.
Henry, who is also the Tasik Biru assemblyman, explained that applicants must undergo an interview, with the ability to converse in Bidayuh or Iban being one of the key criteria.
He noted that the majority of those awarded Bumiputera status in Bau are Bidayuh natives.
Also present at the ceremony were Bau District Officer Constantine Gerald David Jonas and Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik. — DayakDaily
