‘Orang Borneo’ halfway towards achieving goal
Published on: Thursday, August 10, 2023
Jeffrey (fifth left) and other indigenous leaders holding up the event banner in a launching gimmick.
Kota Kinabalu: The indigenous people are already halfway towards achieving their goal of equitable development in the fields of economy, social, culture, and politics in their respective nations, says Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
However, he said to push it further and realise their ultimate goal, indigenous people groups from Sabah, Sarawak and the broader Borneo region must continue to communicate with each other to ensure better coordination and foster stronger ties.
ADVERTISEMENT
“For the indigenous population of Borneo to wield greater influence in their respective territories, it is crucial for them to adopt a unified vision and mission.
“The cornerstone of this empowerment journey is the crafting of a shared identity.
This philosophy is mirrored in the theme of our two-day seminar coinciding with the World Indigenous Day celebration, aptly titled ‘In Search of Common Identity’,” he said after launching the seminar here on Tuesday attended by participants from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan.
Its primary objectives are to facilitate dialogue, promote mutual understanding among diverse indigenous factions, emphasise the importance of a collective identity, and strategise to enhance the indigenous ecosystem of Borneo.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said at present, various indigenous communities have organised themselves into associations, a development he recognised as a successful first step.
“But one day, our aspiration is to witness true unity among the different ethnic groups in Borneo under the identity of ‘Orang Borneo’ or ‘Orang Dayak’,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jeffrey believes such seminars play a pivotal role in establishing a more effective system to communicate among different indigenous groups in Borneo.
“After establishing communication, the next priority will shift towards organising and protecting land rights and the environment.
Currently, I believe we are already about 50 per cent towards our goals of empowering the indigenous communities, and I anticipate reaching the 60 per cent mark shortly.
“In the near future, celebrations such as this World Indigenous People’s Day will transcend mere gatherings, symbolising noteworthy achievements and advancements for the indigenous people,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Jeffrey highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous culture, language, knowledge, and tradition.
Towards this end, he acknowledged the importance of establishing and participating in activities that promote the culture and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples through ‘Sekolah Adat’ (cultural school).
“Sekolah Adat stands as a beacon in our efforts to safeguard and nurture our rich indigenous heritage.
These institutions are pivotal in ensuring our younger generations are rooted in their identity and equipped with the knowledge passed down through the ages,” he said, urging for establishment of more such institutions across the Borneo region.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
