What has happened to the Dayak Chair of Unimas, asks PBDSB

 By Simon Peter

KUCHING, September 2, 2017: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) is questioning what has happened to the Dayak Chair of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

PBDSB president Cobbold John

It was established under the Institute of Borneo Studies on March 1, 1997 and its scope of research includes a specific concern with regards to the development studies of the Dayaks from Sarawak and Borneo.

The state government, Tun Jugah Foundation and  Dayak Cultural Foundation have contributed funds to the Dayak Chair ever since 1997.

As one of the main fund contributors, Tun Jugah Foundation had suggested that the former curator of Sarawak Museum Dr Peter Kedit to head the Dayak studies.

But the suggestion was strongly opposed by a former Sarawak minister  without assigning any reasons.

PBDSB president Cobbold John, in a statement today, said Peter has the qualifications and credentials to head the Dayak Chair.

"Since the objection to Peter's appointment 10 years ago, the Dayak Chair has not only been dormant, but had also been deliberately forgotten for no reason and its important significance has never been raised again," he said.

He said PBDSB is questioning why is such an important research and development studies of the Dayak society being left dormant?

"Another question is what has happened to the funds for the research and studies?" he asked, and said:"PBDSB as well as the Dayak society deserve an answer from the relevant authorities including Unimas with regards to this matter.

"If there is no explanation, then the relevant authorities should not blame the Dayak community from making their own conclusions or assumptions," he said.

Cobbold said there are still number of aspects of the Dayak society that warrant close examination, especially the culture and lifestyles.

He said these include issues on occupation and income distribution of the Dayak community, the roles and identities of members of the community as they enter the 21st century and the relationship among the various Dayak groups from the coastal and urban areas.