Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) can now look forward to having its own building soon, thanks to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Adenan announced on Sunday night that he has consented to DCCI’s request to have a state land for the site of the building.

He also said there will be a decision by the end of this year, probably on the location of the land and possibly state government’s financial assistance for the construction.

“I have agreed to give you the land…so there will be a decision before the end of the year. And it will be a positive decision,” he said when officiating at the 10th Joint Gawai-Kaamatan Celebration dinner organised by DCCI and Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong on Sunday.

Adenan’s response came following a request made by DCCI president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, who had spoken earlier that night.

Salang, also Julau MP, said as mentioned two years ago at the 8th Joint Gawai-Kaamatan Celebration in Bintulu, DCCI is very desirous to have its own building and has made an application for a piece of state land for this purpose.

“This building becomes very necessary for us not just because to show we have a building, but the need to have a place for training purposes and for our growing activities,” said Salang.

He also mentioned that DCCI branches and regional offices were also identifying suitable state lands for this building and also premises for their business activities.

“I am sure the Chief Minister’s Office will receive our request,” he said.

He also said DCCI for the past two years had been busy organising training programmes focussing on homestay and agrobusiness in collaboration with Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) and National Entrepreneurship Institute (Insken).

He said the purpose of such training is to increase Dayak participation in business.

“It is fitting that Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah is in charge of the rural economic transformation and modernisation of agriculture. I’m sure we will work with your (Uggah) ministry,” he said.

Salang, on behalf of DCCI, also thanked the Chief Minister for appointing some of its members to the state cabinet, among them Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi as a full minister, supreme council member Malcolm Mussen as assistant minister and Dato Gerawat Gala as deputy speaker.

“Perhaps also, DCCI is the biggest NGO being represented in the State Legislative Assembly. We have 10 BN ADUNs (assemblymen) and two PKR ADUNs,” he said, adding that he too thanked Adenan for his consideration to create a unit to look into affairs of the non-Muslims in Sarawak.

He also thanked Adenan for the Chief Minister’s “very ingenious way” to include DCCI and Sarawak Chamber of Bumiputera Entrepreneurs (DUBS) contractors in the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway.

“We know as beginners in the business, members of DCCI will not be able on their own to bid for contracts in this major project. Thank you for accommodating us,” he said.

KCCI president Bonipasius Bianis, on the other hand, congratulated DCCI for a “better harvest” this year as DCCI contractors had benefitted from the decisions and policies made by Adenan.

More than 700 people, including from Sabah, attended the dinner which saw the presentation of Sarawak and Sabah ethnic folk songs and the appearance by beauty queens of Unduk Ngadau from Sabah and Miss Harvest Festival 2016 from Sarawak.

It was also mentioned at the dinner that former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, who was present, is now the state government’s science advisor.

Also present at the dinner were federal ministers Datuk Seri Richard Riot, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Joseph Entulu, deputy minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Uggah, Dr Rundi, and DCCI advisors Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie and Tan Sri Leonard Linggi.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Borneo Post

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