DNC and SIPAK ink MoU to strength and establish cooperation

 By James Belayong

KUCHING, June 22, 2015 - Dayak National Congress (DNC) and Sarakup Iban Pabatasan Kapuas Hulu (SIPAK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) DNC which will formally strength and establish cooperation between the two Iban-based non-governmental organisations.

Sotomo (left) and Mengga signing the MoU. Seen at right is DNC deputy president Datuk John Tenewi Nuek

The MoU covers five areas.

These are:

1. To establish a common communication forum for the Iban people in the border areas between Kapuas Hulu and Sarawak;

2. To reinforce  the cultural, traditional bonds, on the customary law of the Iban people of Sarawak and Kapuas Hulu;

3. To develop the economic cooperation between the two Iban communities in Sarawak and Kapuas Hulu;

4. To build a stronger collaboration in support of the better education for the Iban on both sides of the border; and

5. To promote fair and sustainable management of natural resources for the two people of both countries.

DNC president Mengga Mikui, who signed the MoU for DNC, said Kapuas Hulu is rich in customs and traditions which are still in pure and prestine form.

"These are the things which DNC wants to tap because what we have in Sarawak are unadulterated where the Iban customs and traditions have elements of some other customs and traditions," he said.

He said the Sarawak Ibans have lost much of their customs and tradiions through modernisation.

"This MoU will help us to learn the customs and traditions of the Iban Kapuas Hulu through exchange and study," he said.

Sipak president Herkulanus Sotomo Manna said there are a lot of things that Sipak and DNC can exchange for the benefit of the Ibans from both sides of the border.

"We have many similarities and share common language, customs and traditions. The only different is that we are divided by the boundary," he said.

He said the MoU can also strengthen economic and business ties between the Ibans in Kapuas Hulu and Sarawak.

"This can be done through people-to-people which I think is a very practical thing to do," he said.

He said that both Sipak and DNC can be considered as bridges to bring the people of Kapuas Hulu and Sarawak together, with the signing of the MoU.