Institution of community leaders needs to be further strengthened to ensure the survival of Adat Iban, says Uggah

SIBU, Oct 8 2026: The institutions of Community leaders and headmen, especially Penghulu, Pemancha and Temenggong, need to be further strengthened to ensure the survival of Iban Custom and strengthen their role in the Bumiputera Court system in Sarawak.

Caption:Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah says community leaders must  have a deep understanding of custom is very important to enable them to explain its meaning and importance to the younger generation, thus becoming a link between traditional custom practices and changes in the lives of modern society

Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas said that community leaders at the grassroots level not only need to master knowledge related to custom, but also understand the principles, rationale and context of its implementation so that the heritage continues to be preserved and can be passed on to future generations.

“We want community leaders who not only know custom, but also understand the principles, rationale and context of custom,” he said at the opening of the 2026 Iban Custom Symposium here today.

He added that a deep understanding of custom is very important to enable them to explain its meaning and importance to the younger generation, thus becoming a link between traditional custom practices and changes in the lives of modern society.

In this regard, he hoped that the 2026 Iban Custom Symposium could be a platform to detail the roles and responsibilities of the community leaders in the upcoming upgraded Bumiputera Court system.

He said that the views and feedback from various stakeholders also need to be taken into account in formulating new guidelines that are in line with the needs of custom and the current reality of society.

In the meantime, Uggah stressed that custom and law should not be seen as two separate or contradictory elements, but rather need to be understood comprehensively based on the historical context, community life and the legal framework in force.

He explained that Sarawak has extensive experience in managing the customary affairs of indigenous communities, hence any effort to strengthen customary institutions must take into account the close relationship between cultural heritage, community life and the state's legal system.

Also present were Minister in the Premier's Department John Sikie Tayai, Trustee of the Dayak Cultural Foundation Leonard Linggi Jugah, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Bumiputera Law and Custom) Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government of Sarawak,  Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration) Felicia Tan Ya Hua, Head of the Sarawak Customs and Traditions Council Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat and Secretary of the Sarawak Customs and Traditions Council, Elsie William.