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 31/12/2008:
Tiong Offers An Olive Branch to Resolve Misunderstanding between SDNU &
Bintulu Resident Officer |
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 THE
RECONCILIATION CEREMONY: Tiong and members of SDNU perform the traditional
miring ceremony before the start of the concert at Bintulu Esplanade. |
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| BINTULU:
Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing appealed for the offering of an olive
branch to resolve the misunderstanding between the Sarawak Dayak National
Union (SDNU) and the Resident Office here in the hosting of the Bintulu
Dayak Reunion Concert.
In the event dubbed as SADA Nyawa Iban 2008 on Tuesday at the Esplanade, Bintulu SDNU chairman James Stephen had complaint in his speech of them being neglected in the event which was supposed to be co-hosted by them and the Residence Office. But, James said the Resident Office pulled out at the eleventh hour, leaving them to solely shoulder the cost amounting to RM89,000. He
was thankful to Tiong for being the only MP to chip in RM10,000 in the
hosting, but, he said the pull-out of the Resident Office had put them
in an awkward situation.
James regarded this as a community project aimed at passing on the cultural heritage to the young ones through the creation of Iban songs. Being a community project, he said he had expected the government agencies to play a role. He said their appeals for funds from other individuals had been met with dead ends, but, he was happy that Tiong had been the only Non-Dayak MP responding to their appeal. After hearing James' speech, Tiong felt uncomfortable with the air of misunderstanding and he stood to address the crowd. He expressed concern over the complaint, and he assured that in Bintulu, no single race would be edged or be left alone in development. He hoped the misunderstanding between Bintulu SDNU and the Residence Office would be resolved and he hoped the two parties would talk it over. "Never confront in issues like this and never let such a misunderstanding to be interpreted as a community being left out in development," he advised. The Bintulu MP said cultural activity was a way to promote harmony, and he assured SDNU they would be invited for performances in town with other races. He said unity must be achieved for the prosperity of all races, and he would disallow solidarity to be disturbed by misunderstandings. "This is the common mission and vision of all Malaysians." Tiong called on community leaders and leaders of NGOs to ensure that their members were taken care of, advising that they should never be eaten up by misunderstandings. Tiong then announced he would chip in another RM 20,000 to lighten the burden of SDNU in the hosting of the cultural event. |
