By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 15: Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom has retained the presidency of the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) during the union’s 37th Triennial General Assembly (TGA) held at the Imperial Hotel here today.
Mawan, who is the Pakan assemblyman and advisor in the Premier of Sarawak’s Office (Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development), is understood to have returned unopposed, extending his leadership for the 2025–2027 term. He has helmed the union since 2012.
Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang also remained unchallenged and retained his post as deputy president.
The one-day assembly recorded 242 registered delegates, of whom 220 were present and voted, while 22 were absent.
Contested posts included a straight fight for the secretary-general position between incumbent Gerard Joseph and Audrey Anging Wilson, the assistant treasurer-general post between Norina Emas Wilson Guang and Lo@Low Marin, and 14 candidates vying for 11 elected ordinary Supreme Executive Committee seats.
Established on May 10, 1956, SDNU serves as an umbrella body to promote unity, preserve culture and uplift the wellbeing of the Dayak community. It is among Sarawak’s largest and oldest organisations, with 48 branches statewide, including Women and Youth wings.
Speaking to reporters after the election, Mawan said the newly elected lineup will seek an audience with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg soon to discuss SDNU’s priorities and strategic direction.
“We’ll be meeting him very soon. I have asked the technical teams to focus and spell out exactly what we want.
“But we don’t want to rush into it because we are not technically ready yet, otherwise we might end up identifying the wrong priorities for the union,” he said.
Elaborating further, Mawan said SDNU intends to strengthen its role as a partner in the government’s outreach efforts, particularly in rural areas where accurate information and awareness of ongoing development remain crucial.
He stressed that SDNU upholds moderation and rejects divisive elements.
“I conveyed to the Premier during SDNU’s 37th TGA welcoming dinner last night (Nov 14) that SDNU members are not extremists or racists. In fact, we are allergic to all this extremism and racialism.
“As you know, the government has a very massive transformation agenda, so we have to play our role and facilitate efforts to achieve the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 agenda,” he added.
Following the conclusion of the TGA, here’s a look of SDNU’s new line-up for 2025-2027 term:
| POST | NAME |
| President | YB Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (uncontested) |
| Deputy President | YB Christopher Gira Anak Sambang (uncontested) |
| Senior Vice President | 1. Chambai Lindong (uncontested)
2. Stanley Belayong Pok (uncontested) 3. (To be appointed at a later date) 4. (To be appointed at a later date) 5. (To be appointed at a later date) 6. (To be appointed at a later date) |
| Vice President | 1. Ambrose Jarat (uncontested)
2. Dato’ Ir Alice Jawan 3. Amarjeet John Gendi 4. (To be appointed at a later date) 5. (To be appointed at a later date) 6. (To be appointed at a later date) *Note: Alice and Amarjeet are the appointed vice presidents by virtue of their roles as the Women Chief and Youth Chief, respectively. |
| Secretary-General | Gerard Joseph |
| Assistant Secretary-General | Cenilla Anthony Assan (uncontested) |
| Treasurer-General | Jepthre Empali (uncontested) |
| Assistant Treasurer-General | Norina Emas Anak Wilson Guang |
| Publicity Officer | Churchill Edward Drem (uncontested) |
| Supreme Executive Committee Members | 1. Samuel Sila Mathew Unjah
2. Conrad Inti Anak Robin 3. Henry Anak Banyan 4. Peter Moni Selat 5. Denis Gasan Anak Gudup 6. Pani Anak Igoh 7. Penghulu Adi Jala 8. Anthony Ugor Anak Nili 9. Augustine Lim Anak Entoi 10. Jeti Kumpai Endawi 11. Sebastian Klambu Anak Kayan |
— DayakDaily
