Dayaks versus Public Service Commission

By ROBERT KENNETH

THE deadline is December 31, 2012 and with roughly a month left, will there be at least 100,000 Dayak job applications submitted to the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Malaysia before the year is over?

The Dayaks were challenged last October 10 by the commission chairman Tan Sri Mahmood Adam to reach the figure following complaints that there are so few Dayak government servants.

The point of contention is that the number of Dayaks in the civil service has for many years been disproportionate to their size as the biggest ethnic group in Sarawak.

As soon as Mahmood issued his challenge, doubters immediately came out of the woodwork, and despite the seriousness of the issue, some Dayak politicians and intellectuals are sceptical, while others have even made jokes about the challenge.

There are those who say it is just “window dressing” and “lip service”, and the low number of applicants was just a convenient explanation for the disproportionately low number of Dayaks in the civil service.

A Bidayuh senior government officer, who requested anonymity, said even if Mahmood’s challenge was met, there was no guarantee that the number of successful Dayak applicants would be proportionate to their overall number.

“If it is true that there haven’t been enough Dayak applicants, then why were there many applicants who complained that they were rejected?” he said.

“According to PSC’s statistics, there were 16,578 Iban, 8,327 Bidayuh and 3,315 Orang Ulu applicants. But how come only 722 Ibans, 475 Bidayuhs and 96 Orang Ulus were selected? Why were so many rejected?

“Why should a smaller community get the most number of jobs just because it has the most number of applicants?”

He also asked whether there was any certainty that online applications would reach the PSC, adding that there were bound to be some “Little Napoleons” somewhere throwing their weight around.

Thus, he urged PSC to ensure that all applications are looked into and that all those from the right communities and with the right qualifications get the posts they apply for.

Meanwhile, several Dayak graduates said they were getting fed-up and losing hope of securing government jobs following several rejections and many years of waiting.

The Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) and Bidayuh Graduates Association (BGA), however, prefer responding positively to Mahmood’s challenge.

In order to help meet the target, they will hold a roadshow to encourage the Bidayuh to apply for government jobs.

BGA president Dr Ahi Sarok said the roadshow would start on Dec 1 at Bau Civic Centre for DBNA Bau and Serapi. This will be followed by DBNA Bunuk, Mambong and Anah Rais at Kampung Bunuk on Dec 2; Serian Community Hall on Dec 8 for DBNA Serian, Kedup, Tebedu and Balai Ringin; and at DBNA building in Kampung Jampari, Lundu on Dec 9.

Last night, representatives of the PSC had talks with DBNA and BGA exco members and showed them how applicants could apply for jobs online.

Following the meeting, a special committee comprising leaders representing various Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) headed by Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) president Dr Dusit Jaul as interim chairman was formed.

The main task of the committee is to get as many Dayaks as possible to apply for jobs through the PSC to meet the 100,000-applicant challenge.

On Thursday, the committee also discussed with state PSC secretary Mohd Saiful Sungkih Abdullah ways of achieving the target within the short period.

Dusit said getting 100,000 applicants was not a big issue so long as Dayaks were willing to respond to the challenge.

He said the committee would do its best to reach out to eligible but unemployed youths in the rural areas — including private sector employees — to apply for positions in the public service.

“Dayak NGOs will assist the PSC as much as they can to encourage more Dayaks to submit their job applications,” Dusit said.

According to him, at the moment, Dayaks could not blame the PSC for the low number of their people in the public service because the records showed that despite being the most numerous in the state fewer Dayaks applied for government jobs compared to Malays and Chinese.

He revealed that up until last September, PSC’s records showed a total of 66,699 applications for various vacancies.

Of these, 26,233 or 39% were from Malays; Ibans (16,578), Bidayuhs (8,327), Melanaus (6,218), Chinese (5,062) and Orang Ulus (3,315).

From the total, 2,997 were selected — Malays (849), Ibans (722), Chinese (535), Bidayuhs (475), Melanaus (257) and Orang Ulus (96).

“Comparatively the number of Dayak applicants, particularly Ibans, is still very low relative to their total number as the biggest ethnic group in the state.

“If there were fewer applicants compared to those from other ethnic groups, naturally the number of those selected would be fewer. So if our people want to have more chances of being selected, this is the right time,” he said.

He said the committee would soon work out a mechanism on how to get the unemployed, self-employed and those in the private sector to apply for government jobs.

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Successful Sarawak River Festival

Huge turnout at the festival's concert.

Thousands including foreign tourists thronged Kampung Danu, along Puncak Borneo Road, 55km from Kuching to attend the inaugural Sarawak River  Festival 2012 held over the weekend of October 27 and 28.

Festival attendees enjoying their dancing. 

Organised by Ma’asa Event Management in collaboration with the Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee (JKKK), the two-day festival was held successfully and officially graced by Public Health Assistant Minister Dr Jerip Susil on October 28.

The festival was a combined activity of treasure hunt, water sports, live band performance and sale of food and beverages.




The festival kick-off on Saturday night (October 27) with live band performance by Dirgahayu II Band and the pack crowd were entertained and thrilled by songs from AF7 finalists Claudia Geres, a veteran Bidayuh singer Paul Kadun, Captain Miron Ganguly with his blues numbers, popular local DJ Peter John Apai and Hits FM DJ Aaron Gomes.

Some of the stalls set up during the two-day festival.

On Sunday morning participants of the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 2012 were flag-off by JFAM Logistics Sdn Bhd managing director Jores Sidik at the riverbank of Kampung Bengoh.
Along their routes the treasure hunters had a thrilling and fun time hunting for the treasures hidden along the river, and each team were also required to pluck three types of edible plants along the river bank.
The hardest task was looking for the treasures hidden within the Kampung Danu vicinity.

Kampng Danu cultural troupe performing the Bidayuh cultural dance.

At the event site there were stalls selling food and beverages, handicrafts and cosmetics, while Maxis set up their stall to promote its services and Unimas Medical Centre gave free health screening to members of the public.

The Red Bull challenge was also a fun event. Hundreds of people rushed to look for 100 bottles of Red Bull drinks hidden within the vicinity of the village to win prizes offered  by Red Bull. ‘Gangnam Style’ and poco-poco dancing added merriments to the festival.

'Gangnam Style' dancing add fun to the festival.

The festival’s chief coordinator Robert Kenneth said due to unpredictable weather conditions some of events in this year’s festival were forced to be cancelled.

“It would have been better had the festival be held on the pebble field, but due to the heavy downpour on Sunday morning, and as we were worried of the high water level, all the activities except for the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt were held on land (in the village’s vicinity,” he said.




Overall it was a successful event and Robert promised a grander festival next year, which is slated to be held in August. Dr Jerip in his speech commended the organisation of the festival which he said as a very good way to promote the village to tourists and city dwellers. He commended Maasa Event Management for taking the initiative to organise the festival in Kampung Danu, whose beautiful has great potential of an important tourist destination and a perfect venue for community-based activities. He said all those tourist attractions like the river, caves, waterfall and the home stay is an asset to the villagers to generate income.

“If you work together to take care of the beauty of your village you can develop Kampung Danu as a popular tourist destination,” he added.

Dr Jerip handing over paints to Kampung Danu headman Encik Ahip Naii. The paints will be used to repaint the

village's suspension bridge.

Meanwhile Kampung Danu headman Ahip Naii who was delighted with the success of the festival had wanted Maasa Event Management to continue with the event next year. He said the festival has been able to attract huge number of visitors and had surely had benefited the village and promote the place as an interesting tourist destination.

Dr Jerip visiting Maxis boot during the festival.

“During the festival the villagers has been able to generate extra income by selling food and drinks as well as their farm produce to the visitors,” he added.

Meanwhile Maasa Event Management general manager Ceasser Robert announced that the company next event will be the Jungle Rock Muzik Festival scheduled in April next year at Maasa Event Centre located along the new road from Jalan Kampung Semadang to the Bengoh Resettlement Scheme in Penrissen.

Visitors reporting to participate in the Red Bull Challenge.

Dirgarhayu II female singers singing the dangdut numbers.

Among the visitors at the festival.

Participants of the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 2012 ready for the the flag-off.

Participants of the treasure hunt pulling their kayaks at the 

shallow part of the river. 

Participants of the treasure hunt looking for the hidden treasures along 
the river. 

Visitors visiting the cultural house in Kampung Danu.

Participants of the treasure hunt  after the competition.

Peter John entertaining the visitors with his songs.

Participant of the treasure hunts on their way to Kampung Danu.

The crowd at the festival.

Encik Jores Sidik (second from left) presenting the prizes to the winners of
the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt.

Event director Robert Kenneth briefing the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 

participants.

Winners of the treasure hunt carrying the treasures they collected.

Nestle event and sampling manager Tonny Merril presenting
the goodies to Maasa Event Management general manager,
Ceasser Robert  (left).

AF7 finalist Claudia Geres entertaining the crowd at the festival.

Visitors visiting the stalls at the festival.

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Thousands to visit Sarawak River Festival

KUCHING: Plenty of prizes awaits lucky visitors to the inaugural Sarawak River Festival @ Ga Danu 2012 at Kampung Danu, along Jalan Puncak Borneo at the upper part of Sungai Sarawak Kiri in Penrissen this weekend (October 27 & 28).

Members of Kampung Danu cultural troupe ready
to welcome their visitors.

Staged on the picturesque pebble bed on the Sungai Sarawak Kiri by the river bank of  Kampung Danu, the activities at the festival include treasure hunt, water sports, live band performance and sale of food and beverages.
The two-day festival is organised by Maasa Event Management in collaboration with Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee.
Maasa Event Management general manager Ceasser Robert said beside RM2,100 cash prizes in the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 2012, which will be held on Sunday, lucky festival goers will also win lucky draw prizes.
Other water sports events to be held on Sunday are swimming and boat race.
Ceasser said those wanting to participate in the long boat race can register at the festival’s site, adding that each boat will consist of six paddlers and without registration fee.
He said visitors to the festival are also invited to participate in various other games and activities to win cash prizes and goodies.
Among the games will be the Red Bull Challenge where the winners would win cash prizes and Red Bull premium items.
Ceasser said two extra events has been included on the second day of the festival, that is the gangnam style dancing and poco-poco dancing to add more fun to the festival at the pebble field by the river bank of Kampung Danu.
“Visitors are invited to participate in the dancing and best three dancers would be picked to win three prizes,” said Ceasser, who anticipated thousands of people from far and near would turn up at the festival.
Other activities on Sunday include live band performance featuring several singers including AF7 finalist Claudia Geres and Paul Kadun who his popular with his song entitled “Ondu biranak sindo”. Dirgahayu II with their dangdut female singer will be the band in attendance.
“There will be about 30 stalls selling food and beverages, local products while Red Bull and Maxis will also be putting up their boots to promote their respective products and services,” he added.
The festival sponsors are Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jerip Susil, JFAM Logistics Sdn Bhd, Carlseberg, Red Bull, Maxis, Nescafe and several individuals.
The festival will kick off with a live band performance on October 27, starting at 8 pm to 12 pm.
Ceasser said all the stalls with canopies has been booked but said those interested to trade during the festival can still do so but have to bring along their own canopies.
Ceasser said the event is aimed at complimenting the Ministry of Tourism effort in luring tourists to the area.
Such events have the potential to be important event in the developing of the tourism industry in Penrissen and Bengoh area.
The Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 2012 was launched by Public Health Assistant Minister Dr Jerip Susil in November last year and the latter and his wife will be visiting and officiating at the closing of the festival on Sunday.
Ceasser said the event was also aim to introduce exciting places around Penrissen to tourists and the the same time the villagers would be able to benefit from the event to supplement their family income through homestay programme, providing transportation, sale of food and beverages as well as sale of souvenirs, handicrafts and jungle produce.

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Register early for the Sarawak Treasure Hunt 2012

Join gangnam style and poco-poco dances on the pebble field

The organiser of the Sarawak Treasure Hunt 2012 has advised interested participants to register earlier as last minute entries will not be accepted.
The treasure hunt is one of the many events to be held in conjunction with the two-day Sarawak
River Festival which starts on 27 October.
The venue is the pebble field in Kampung Danu at Jalan Puncak Borneo on the upper part of
the Sungai Sarawak Kiri.
The festival is organised by Ma’asa Event Management in collaboration with Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee and the village’s cooperative.
The event coordinator, Robert Kenneth said the treasure hunt offered RM1,000 cash prize and trophy for the champion team, RM500 and a trophy for the first runner-up and RM300 for the second runner-up.
There will three consolation prizes of RM100 each.
Kenneth said the treasure hunt would be flagged off at 10 am at the river bank of Kampung Bengoh.The participants are expected to arrive at Kampung Danu at noon.
“The questions are very simple and the treasures are placed along the routes.So it is quite an easy contest which everybody can participate,” said Kenneth, adding that each team consisted of two persons.
He said the participating teams could either use a kayak, a boat or a raft for the treasure hunt.
However, the participating teams are required to bring along their own kayaks, boats or rafts.
“The organisers can assist the participants to source for the kayaks and boats but they must place their bookings at least one week before the event,” said Kenneth.
Interested teams can collect their entry forms at the following locations:
* Mambong Parliamentary Service Centre, Kota Padawan.
* JFAM Logistics Sdn Bhd, MJC Batu Kawah New Township.
* Ju Cafe, Mile 9, (next to Open University Malaysia).
* Lim Magazine & Newspaper, BDC Comercial Centre.
* DBNA Headquarters, Jalan Kumpang, Kuching.
Completed entry forms together with a RM50 registration fee for each team and RM16 for Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy must be submitted to the organiser not later than 23 October 2012 October at Mambong Parliamentary Service Centre, Kota Padawan, JFAM Logistic Sdn Bhd, MJC Batu Kawah New Township and DBNA Headquarters, Jalan Kumpang, off Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, Kuching.
For assistance, interested teams can also contact Robert Kenneth (Tel: 013-2036553) or
Ceasser Robert (Tel: 016 -016- 5765174), or visit website www. danuvillagestay.co.cc or www.sarawakriverfestival. co.cc for details and to download the entry form of the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 2012.
Kenneth said on 27 and 28 October, the Upper Sungai Sarawak Kiri will come alive with hundreds or even thousands of people enjoying the first Sarawak River Festival on the picturesque pebble field of Kampung Danu.
“The two-day river festival is a unique combination of water sports, live music performances, games and sales of food and beverages. Those interested to operate the stalls during the festival are advised to book early with the rentakl fess of RM30.00.
“The festival will kick off with a live band performance on the night of 27 October, from 8.00pm
to midnight. Entry to the festival is free.
There will also be a gangnam style dance performance on the pebble field and spectators are
most welcome to participate.
“Three of participants will be picked to win three special prizes,” said Kenneth.
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