By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 27: Nicholas Bawin Anggat, a veteran Dayak politician and fearless defender of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land, passed away on March 26 at the age of 65.
He took his final breath at 9.20pm at Normah Medical Specialist Centre in Kuching after battling an illness.
The Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) expressed deep sorrow over his passing, describing him as “a warrior who fought tirelessly for the rights of indigenous communities and a beacon of hope for those seeking justice.”
“His voice thundered in the courts and beyond, challenging those who sought to strip his people of their ancestral lands. More than a politician, Bawin was a staunch advocate for indigenous rights, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be etched in Sarawak’s history,” SADIA said in a statement today.
Born on September 25, 1958, Bawin dedicated his life to defending Native land rights. To him, land was not merely soil—it was the heartbeat of indigenous identity, the inheritance of ancestors, and the future of generations yet to come. His battlefield was the courtroom, where he wielded truth, law, and an unshakable resolve to protect his people’s rights.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Rajini Ramasamy, and their four daughters, who will carry on his fighting spirit.
Bawin’s political journey began with SNAP, where he emerged as a defender of the oppressed. He later became Deputy President of Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (MAIS) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak State Leadership Council secretary. He contested multiple elections, not in pursuit of power but in the hope of a just and free indigenous land.
In 2005, recognising the need for a stronger Dayak political voice, he played a key role in forming the Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC). Although the party was never registered, Bawin remained steadfast in his advocacy.
From 2004 to 2007, as president of the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), he championed Dayak unity, resilience, and cultural identity.
SADIA acknowledged that Bawin’s greatest legacy lies not in politics but in his tireless work as an expert witness in NCR land cases.
“He stood beside countless indigenous communities in their legal battles, including the landmark cases of Tr. Sandah and Tr. Nor Nyawai, which set precedents for native land rights in Sarawak. His deep knowledge of Dayak traditions, customs, and historical land claims made him an invaluable force in the courtroom.”
For many rural communities, his name became synonymous with hope. He was the voice for those who had been silenced, the strength for those who had lost everything. His testimony helped secure victories for Native landowners, proving time and again that the bond between the Dayak people and their land was unbreakable.
SADIA paid tribute to this aspect of his work, stating, “Bawin’s contributions to NCR land cases changed the course of indigenous rights in Sarawak. He stood with communities in their darkest hours, bringing legal expertise and an unshakable belief in justice.”
Beyond the courtroom, Bawin served as an advisor to many local non-govermental organisaytions (NGOs), mentoring activists and guiding indigenous movements. His expertise made him a popular and in-demand speaker at NCR forums, where his words ignited the spirit of resistance and unity among indigenous communities.
Even in his later years, SADIA highlighted that Bawin never wavered in his mission. His retirement from politics in May 2020 was not a sign of surrender but a passing of the torch to a new generation of indigenous rights defenders. His battles, his victories, and his unwavering spirit will live on in those who continue the fight for justice.
As Sarawak grieves, SADIA offered final words of remembrance: “Bawin may no longer be with us, but his spirit will live on in every NCR case, in every courtroom where native rights are defended, and in every heart that beats for justice.”
“The land will remember him. The rivers will carry his name. And the people—his people—will never forget the warrior who never backed down. Rest in power, Nicholas Bawin Anggat.” — DayakDaily
