Community unable to progress rapidly if it were unable to subordinate self-interest to that of whole community: Manyin

KUCHING: What the Bidayuh need in order to move forward is a strong social capital, said Environment and Public Health Minister Datuk Michael Manyin Jawong.

Addressing the two-day DBNA 5th triennial delegates conference (TDC) at its headquarters here yesterday, Manyin (pictured right) described this social capital as the ability to really work together and share the norms and values for the common destiny of the Bidayuh.

“We need to create a social capital in order to work together for the common purpose of the community,” Manyin said, adding the community would not be able to progress as fast as they would like to if they were unable to subordinate their self-interest to that of the whole community.

Manyin, who is DBNA chief advisor, pointed out that it was crucial that the Bidayuh regard the community as the “bigger entity above oneself”.

“If we are able to do that, we will be able to move forward,” he stressed.

Manyin also appealed to the Bidayuh not to openly criticise the association, saying that doing so was tantamount to criticising the community.

While DBNA accepted criticisms, these criticisms should be made in written notes for the association to sit down to look for solutions, he said.

Manyin pointed out that it was the role of everybody to ensure the survival of DBNA because it would be a very big “disappointment” if the association failed in its endeavour to unite all Bidayuh.

Manyin went on to say that if the Bidayuh were parochial, segmented and regionalised in the 60s, they were now very cohesive and wanted to move forward.

Nonetheless, he pointed out, political unity among the Bidayuh was ‘quite fragile’ and may be “put to the test” when the next election comes.

He said while this was a hard fact that must be recognised, he would like to advise the community against gambling their future away by falling to the promises of the opposition.

He said if the Bidayuh elected representatives could work together well – despite being in different parties in the Barisan Nasional (BN), there was no reason why the members of the community could not come to terms with one another, to ensure that they would progress like other communities.

Manyin also appealed to the community to contribute towards the proposed construction of DBNA Hall, estimated to cost RM3.5 million.

He said the hall would become a focal point for the community to gather, like for wedding receptions and other functions, rather than rent hotels and other premises.

The minister also hoped that the association would intensify its educational programme to rural areas, to educate rural folk on the importance of education, particularly skilled training.

He also strongly advised DBNA to remain apolitical.