Manyin to Bidayuh: Continue supporting BN

LOVE BIRDS: Manyin (centre) reacts after being given a kiss by his wife Mary Manyin during Ngaru’ Kudung Bidayuh 2012 to the delight of all present.

SERIAN: The Bidayuh community must remain united and rally behind the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming general election.

With a population of only about 200,000 (state’s population is about 2.5 million), the Bidayuh community today is a living testimony that the BN government had been true to their words of bringing about rapid transformation and development to all races, big or small.

“We, the Bidayuh community, have been progressing by leaps and bounds in every aspect of life,” said Udung Bidayuh chairman Dato Sri Michael Manyin at the Ngaru’ Kudung Bidayuh 2012 dinner in Serian on Friday.

Manyin told the 400 odd guests present that the Bidayuh community had been transformed from meagre to a semi-urban community over the past 50 years.

“This (transformation) is because the Bidayuh have always remained united and put their trusts on the BN,” said Manyin, who is also the minister of infrastructure and communication.

He recalled that in the 1960’s, most Bidayuh villages were not accessible by road and basic infrastructure like water and electricity were very much wanting.

“Back then, we also have a high mortality rate while the literacy rate was very low.

“Now, every village has schools and every district has hospitals. Most of the villages are also connected by roads.”

Manyin also echoed the views of Serian MP Dato Richard Riot Jaem who had, earlier in his speech, commented that the unity shown by the Bidayuh had been politically rewarded with high posts at the state and federal levels.

Among the community’s nine elected representatives, one is a full minister (Manyin), two deputy ministers (Datuk Richard Riot Jaem and Dato Dr James Dawos Mamit), two assistant ministers (Dr Jerip Susil and Datuk Peter Nansian), deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly (Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn), and chairman of the National Service Training Council (Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe).

On another matter, Manyin urged the Bidayuh community not be complacent but strive harder in order to help the nation attain its high income society dream as envisioned by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Manyin also lauded the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), which was formed in 1955, for uniting the Bidayuh regardless of dialects and area.