With the theme “United a lot we can achieve, divided nothing we can do”, the dinner was well attended with more than 1,000 guests and was also attended by all the three Bidayuh MPs and six State Assemblymen.
Beside Infrastructure and Communications Development Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin who delivered a speech at the gathering, others present were Foreign Deputy Minister Datuk Richard Riot Jaem, Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos, Deputy State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Assistant Minister of Estate Development and Community Development Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Public Health Assistant Minister Dr Jerip Susil, MP for Mas Gading Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe, State Assemblyman for Opar Ranum Mina, State Assemblyman for Kedup Martin Ben, Temenggong Datuk Stephen Jussem, Temenggong Robert Sulis and Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik.
The function was jointly organised by the Bidayuh community leaders led by Temenggong Datuk Stephen Jussem and DBNA lead by Datuk Ik Pahon.
In his speech, Manyin who is also DBNA chief advisor in expressing gratitude and thanks to the organising committee said: “On behalf of all Ahli Yang Berhormat and the entire Bidayuh community, we wish to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to the organising committee, the ketua masyarakat lead by Temenggong Datuk Stephen Jussem and DBNA lead by its president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik.”
Several Bidayuh had expressed unhappiness that for another time DBNA is being used as a political vehicle although Manyin himself had said that DBNA is a non political organisation and shouldn’t be used as political vehicle for any group or individual.
Manyin said it was the first time the Bidayuh community had such gathering, adding it was one of the three series going to be held with the second gathering planned in Serian and the third series in Siburan.
He also called on the Bidayuh voters to maintain the current political status quo in the 13th general election – meaning that they should continue to ensure that BN candidate win in the three parliamentary seats in the Bidayuh area.
“To avoid any political split in the community, and to continue enjoying the benefits from the rapid development brought about by BN government, the Bidayuh therefore must rally behind BN and must vote for BN candidates during the coming 13th Parliamentary election,” he said.
He later called on the Bidayuh to together make a pledge that the Bidayuh will continue to support BN and will vote for BN candidates during the coming parliamentary election.
“This is our pledge, the pledge we will fulfil. The names of candidates and where they come from are not relevant. What is relevant is that they are individuals whose hearts and minds are with the community, and they are BN candidates nominated by BN leadership.
“That is important and that is what all of us should look at while campaigning for the candidates and casting our votes during the election,” he said.
Saying that BN candidates won handsomely in all the six seats in the Bidayuh area during the last state election, Manyin urged the Bidayuh voters to give the same support to BN candidates in the three seats, namely Mas Gading, Serian and Mambong in the 13th general election which expected it will be held this year.
Manyin also expressed gratitude to the past political and community leaders for their farsighted policy of getting the community working together and starting the journey towards creating a united Bidayuh community.
“Their policy of giving full co-operation with the government had brought a lot of changes and development to the Bidayuh community.
“We know their times were tough and very challenging but they had managed to lay the foundation for Bidayuh unity and bring them to be with the mainstream of development. Their efforts and hard work will ever be remembered by the community,” he said.
He said through BN government and the Bidayuh past and present farsighted leaders, within a relatively short period of time, the situation has changed tremendously.
In stark contrast with the situation in the 1950s, 60s and 70ps, he said almost all Bidayuh villages are accessible by roads, supplied with electricity through grid and water supply at least through gravity feed.
“We also enjoyed good education and health care facilities and telephone services. In another words, the Bidayuh already enjoyed the basic infrastructures and amenities which are required to enable them to accelerate their material progress,” he pointed out.
Manyin also mentioned that the Bidayuh has been given more appointments in the state cabinet and well as in the federal cabinet – two deputy ministers in the federal cabinet, one full minister and two assistant ministers in the state cabinet, and also a deputy speaker in the State Legislative Assembly.
He said so far this was the best political situation the Bidayuh has ever had, adding that it did not happen by chance.
This happened, according to Manyin because of the Bidayuh past and present farsighted political and community leaders who were able to bring the community together and working very closely with the government.
He said since 1999 all the six state seats and three parliamentary seats have been with BN and this clearly demonstrated that the majority of the Bidayuh are BN strong supporters.
“Thus, what we have today, whether it is in the form of appointments or physical development, it is a direct reciprocal reward, recognition and appreciation of our strong and continuous support for BN government,” he added.
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