By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 19: Newly appointed Sarawak Council of Customs and Traditions (MAIS) chief Datu Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat’s experience in ethnic relations and indigenous knowledge is expected to strengthen the council’s advisory role as it expands efforts to preserve and document the heritage of Sarawak’s native peoples.
In his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today, Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence that Neilson’s expertise would be valuable in guiding the council’s role as an advisory body on matters relating to the customs and culture of native communities.
“His vast experience and expertise in areas relating to ethnic relations and indigenous knowledge will be invaluable in guiding Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak in its role as the advisory body on matters relating to Adat and culture of the native communities. I would like also to convey my sincere gratitude to the Sarawak Government for its continuous support to Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak.”
Sikie also highlighted MAIS’s ongoing efforts to document and publish books on the heritage of Sarawak’s native peoples.
Among its recent achievements, the book “Etnik Bidayuh dan Bale Gambang-Baruk: Identiti, Tradisi dan Perubahan”, written by MAIS research officer Dr Chali Ungang, received two awards.
It won the National Book Award on Dec 3, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the National Book Development Foundation, as well as the Anugerah Buku Terbaik Premier Sarawak 2024-2025 in the Kategori Terbitan Luar on Sept 25, 2026, in Kuching, organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Cawangan Sarawak.
Meanwhile, MAIS is also collecting and analysing data for a coffee table book titled “The Native Peoples and Ethnic Minorities of Sarawak”. – DayakDaily
