KUCHING, Aug 28: Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) Rajang branch is offering 10 free stalls at the Lantern Fun Street Charity Bazaar at Sibu Swan Square this Sept 7-8.
Its chairman Bill Jugah said five of the stalls are open to interested individuals from the Malay or Melanau community, while the other five stalls would be allocated to the Iban community in Sibu.
The only catch is that 30 per cent of the proceeds will be channelled to the Kemuyang Orphanage, Sibu Spinal Cord Association and underprivileged students, he added.
“This is a gesture from the association in introducing ourselves through our services to the community, while offering assistance to the native people engaged in handicraft or any other business.
“Please contact Sadia Rajang for booking,” he said in a statement.
Bill was unanimously elected as the chairman of the long-defunct branch during a meeting on Aug 25.
According to him, Sadia Rajang was set up simultaneously with the registration of the main Sadia headquarters in Kuching on Feb 14, 1984.
“It went defunct when the then chairman, Datuk Temenggong Sandah Jarau, passed away in the 1990s,” said the human rights activist.
Other committee members are Tuah Lumpoh (vice-chairman), Tungku Balang (secretary), Ngelayang Unau (assistant secretary), Derrick Kitop (treasurer) and Garai Badin (assistant treasurer).
Other committee members included Norsharvina Mohd Misyam (Publicity I), Jomel Antau (Publicity II), Dzulfiqar Yeu (Media) and Robert Jagah (Operations).
“Sadia Rajang’s membership is open to anyone having an Iban heritage from either parent, or any of the native races as appeared in the Interpretation Ordinance, Laws of Sarawak, which includes Bidayuh, Bukitan, Bisayah, Dusun, Kadayan, Kelabit, Kayan, Kenyah, Kajang, Lugat, Lun Bawang, Lisum, Malay, Melanau, Murut, Penan, Sian, Tagal, Tabun and Ukit.
“Membership fee is RM5 while the monthly fee is set at RM1,” Bill continued.
He said the main objective of Sadia, particularly the branch, was to promote and maintain goodwill and harmony with all races in Malaysia, to safeguard social, cultural and economic welfare of the native people and inhabitants of Sarawak in general, as well as to encourage recreational activities and mutual aid.
Sadia also look to foster educational progress, promote development consciousness among the natives, invest and enter into arrangements for joint working in business or for sharing profits or for amalgamation with any organisation or company, corporation, firm or person.
The association support and subscribe to any charitable institutions, society or club, while they have power to make or accept donations for patriotic or for charitable purpose.
Touching on Sadia Rajang branch, the activities thus far included registration of new voters and assisting in the IC documentation problems plaguing the native community at large.
Bill said in December, an introduction dinner is planned for members, where a back-to-school event will also be held. Association members will be granted assistance in the form of school bags, school uniform and shoes.
“We will focus on charity work and meaningful events-organising to generate revenue for the engaged members of the community at large.
“As a result from careful observations from past management, Sadia Rajang declares itself as non-political and non-partisan in nature. It has been agreed that exco members are required to relinquish their posts if they wish to hold any political posts.”
Bill said to further emphasise on good governance and transparency, the chairman and vice-chairman will not be a signatory party pertaining to any of the association’s financial matters or transaction.
The association’s activities and future events can be viewed at facebook.com/sadiarajang. The branch can also be contacted via email at sadiarajang@gmail.com. — DayakDaily
