Uggah (second left) watches a Ngajat Indu presentation on arrival for the dinner. On his left is Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu, chairman of this year’s Iban Ngepan Symposium.

KUCHING: The Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF), which now occupies a floor at Tun Jugah Building, here, will have its own building soon to be called ‘Pangau Dayak’ (Dayak Palace).

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the building will be built at a piece of land allocated by the Sarawak government at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee.

Uggah, who is also DCF chairman, said he had been informed by the foundation’s board of trustee chairman Tan Sri Leonard Linggi Tun Jugah that the building will be nine-storey high.

“Currently, construction work is at site levelling stage. When completed, the building to be named as ‘Pangau Dayak’ would among others, would have ample space to exhibit the Bidayuh, Iban and Orang Ulu’s traditional costumes.

“We will also use it to organise courses, seminars and trainings. This is the way forward for DCF in its efforts to preserve, develop and enhance the traditional costumes.

“The building when ready will be a source of pride and honour to the Dayaks,” he said when speaking at a dinner to mark the closing of the two-day First Iban Ngepan Symposium in Betong last night.

On another matter, Uggah said the Dayak community should explore and exploit opportunities in the handicraft business.

“The state government is now looking at various income streams from rural areas.The handicraft sector is one with the most potentials,” he said.

He cited last year as example where the state handicraft industry recorded sale totalling RM30.5 million.

“From January until May this year sale totalling RM13.6 million had been recorded. This indicates the industry has excellent opportunity to generate income,” he added.

On the symposium, he hoped the next year’s organiser could include a session on the handicraft industry.

“We need to work out strategies to enhance the development including the supply chain.

” We need to look for new technology to produce not only the quantity but the quality as well.

“Among the very popular handicraft are the Iban’s ‘Pua Kumbu’ or woxen blanket and the beads. The entrepreneurs can sell on-line not only locally but overseas,”he said.

Later at the function Uggah announced an initial grant of RM50,000 to hold next year symposium.

Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Mangil who was present agreed to be its organising chairman.