KUCHING, June 7 — At the state Gawai celebration tonight, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah tonight pledged the Dayak community’s full support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his unity government.

He said the community firmly believes only political stability will allow Malaysia to forge a better future and greater prosperity.

“However, we also appeal to the unity government under the leadership of the prime minister to continue listening and acting on the complaints, moans, hopes, and also the disappointments of all the minorities in this country, including the Dayaks,” Uggah said.

The prime minister and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg were among the federal and state leaders attending the state Gawai celebrations at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

Uggah also drew Anwar’s attention to two issues close to the heart of the Dayak community, adding that these are the survey on Native Customary Rights (NCR) land and Unit For Other Religions (Unifor).

“The NCR Land is a very sensitive issue to the community. Every election it will be exploited by the Opposition to instigate, especially the Dayak community.

“Fortunately, the majority of the Dayak do not fall victim to their instigation and deceptions,” he said.

He appealed to the prime minister to consider giving allocations for the survey of the NCR lands.

He said a sum of RM150 million in grants was given by the state and federal governments from 2010 to 2017.

“However, after 2018 and much to our utter disappointment, the amount allocated by the federal government had been drastically reduced. In fact, this year, only RM2 million was given,” he added.

Uggah also urged the prime minister to allocate federal funds to Unifor, which was formed in 2017, to assist the construction or repairs of the houses of worship of the Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Tao, Sikh and Bahai faiths and others.

He said there is still much to be done, especially on the need for more funds.

“We have some 2,730 different houses of worship of the various religions,” he said, adding that Unifor has received 782 applications for assistance amounting to RM485.7 million.

He said since its formation, Unifor has yet to receive any grant from the federal government.

“Therefore tonight, we humbly appeal for the prime minister to assist Unifor. This project is very popular and that is why GPS won 76 out of 82 seats in the last state election,” he said.

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/06/07/at-state-gawai-celebrations-sarawak-deputy-premier-pledges-dayak-communitys-full-support-for-pm-anwar-unity-govt/73110