KUCHING: Despite claims of inactivity, a total of 18 research projects related to the Dayak communities have been approved under the Dayak Chair fund which currently stands at RM1,856,814, reports The Borneo Post.
However, it was not reported how much funding was allocated towards the said 18 projects.
The Chair of Dayak Studies is placed under Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’ (UNIMAS) Institute of Borneo Studies (IBS), formerly known as the Institute of East Asia Studies.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) chairman was reported as saying yesterday the foundation had contributed RM1,015,000 to fund the Dayak Chair in March 1998.
He also revealed that the management of the chair was entrusted to the Jawatankuasa Pemegang Amanah Kursi Dayak since 2015.
“Up to date, 18 research projects have been approved for financial assistance from the Dayak Chair fund. These projects covered various topics related to the Dayak communities. Some of these projects are on contemporary Dayak issues.”
He also expressed his regret over criticisms against the Dayak Chair.
“Unfortunately, there had been several negative comments, allegations and insinuations on social and print media with regard to the Dayak Chair. Such unhealthy, misleading and baseless accusations are destructive and must be discontinued immediately,” he said.
Uggah was responding to a statement from Parti Bansa DAYAK Sarawak BARU (PBDSB) on Sept 2 questioning the long overdue appointment of the position of the Dayak Chair created under IBS in March 1997 and its seeming dormancy.
It was earlier reported that the state government, the Tun Jugah Foundation and the DCF had contributed funds to the Dayak Chair since 1997.
