By Malcolm Lau
MIRI, Dec 7: Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) president Gary Ningkan has been awarded the Sarawak Youth Award 2019 at the State-Level Sarawak Youth Day celebration held at the Miri Indoor Stadium this morning.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg presented the award and prizes to Gary. Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hazmah and his assistant Datuk Snowdan Lawan as well as Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin were present.
With the recognition, the 31-year-old valuation executive hopes to have greater opportunity to reach out to young Sarawakians and play his part in state and community building.
“I want to thank the Youth and Sports Ministry for the award. I hope that young Sarawakians will continue to work hard for youth empowerment, and stay focused in all their undertakings.
“Young Sarawakians should not be afraid to fail. Once you fall, you will get up and be a better version of yourself,” he said when contacted by Dayakdaily today.
Gary, who graduated from the University of Malaya in estate management, is a member of the Royal Institute of Surveyors Malaysia and a probationary valuer under the Board of Valuers, Estate Agents and Property Managers Malaysia.
He is also the current senior vice president of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), Rakan Belia Tegas Supreme Council member and the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) secretary of Rumah Nanga Keraji, Betong.
He also encouraged young Sarawakians to play their part in community building and volunteerism.
“Please give back to the community however you can, no matter how small it seems to you,” he said.
“I would also like to invite all Dayak graduates to join Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association, and let’s work together in realising Sarawak’s aspiration to become a developed state by 2030,” he called on.
In a video presentation during the celebration ceremony, Gary advised Sarawak youth to always stay focus, understand their rights, know their capabilities and most importantly, knows their responsibilities to make progress towards achieving goals.
“It is also important to have strong support especially from family members and friends, as these are people who are always behind us and drive us, so it is good to always appreciate them.
“Whatever we do, we have to do it with sincerity because only then, we will see the results that are more meaningful,” he added.— DayakDaily
