KAPIT: The incumbent chairman of Kelab Gagung Sibu Sarawak (with its acronym KGS), Jabang Juntan was unanimously re-elected chairman for another term (2018-2020) at the club’s third annual general meeting (AGM) held at Kapit District Council (KDC) here over the weekend.
For the purpose of election of new committee members, KDC assistant secretary Kelimbik Sibat was appointed election chairman.
Kembuam Thomas was elected vice chairman, replacing Patros Tandang while Martin Bilunre and Paul Nelson Sindu were re-elected secretary and assistant secretary respectively.
Steve Rom and Samuel Albert Tegap were also re-elected treasurer and assistant treasurer respectively.
Other elected committee members were: Sammy Ngelambai, Favian Masing Lintang, Ahpong Enteri, Jackery Hillary Chukan, Albert Alang, Binar Berayun, Louis Oui and Bos Tuba.
In speech after the election of committee members, Jabang thanked the KGS members present. Some came from other divisions in the state including Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei, Kanowit and Song to attend the AGM.
He was appreciative that members gave him the mandate to lead the club for another term, while hoping to preserve the Iban culture and traditional Iban warrior costumes/vest known as ‘gagong’, including the headgear (ketapusilong).
He also congratulated the new committee members and called on their full support to enable the club to move forward, adding that this could be his last term as the club ought to give way to young blood to lead the club.
Jabang who is also KDC secretary recalled the initial formation of Kelab Gagung Sarawak with its root at Rumah Charlie in Kanowit whereby a group of the young Iban (led by himself and Sammy Ngelambai) were involved in a welcoming ceremony for a panel of judges from West Malaysia as the longhouse had been selected as one of the finalists for the national-level traditional longhouse competition in early 2015.
“Our second appearance to showcase the warrior costume was during the TYT’s Birthday celebration in Sibu the same year. We received overwhelming response from the people, especially the Iban community. Thus, we came up with the proposal to set up Kelab Gagung Sarawak to promote the Iban warriors costume,” said Jabang.
During the first meeting at one of the restaurants in Sibu Jaya on Dec 15, 2015, Jabang was elected as the pioneer chairman of the club.
“Thereafter, we applied for registration with the Registrar of Societies (ROS). I am glad that the club was finally registered as Kelab Gagung Sarawak (KGS) on March 3, 2016.
“We are now a legally registered club with our distinctive logo and we have the constitution as our guidelines. This means we have no fear in carrying out our activities,” said Jabang.
To date, the club has membership strength of more than 126 registered members who were mostly life members from various districts and divisions throughout the state. It has stringent measures to enrol members who will be properly screened through the basic criteria. That explains why the members do not increase drastically.
Meanwhile, Jabang was happy to note that members are versatile and able to master other traditional Iban folklores, pastimes and recreational activities such as playing sape, learning martial arts, ‘gendang pampat’ , ‘ngajat’ and adapt to the tattoo identity.
Since its formation, the club has made its presence felt through the various activities involving official government functions and invitations from non-governmental organisations throughout the state, including participating at Lan Berambeh in Kuala Lumpur in October last year.
The club had also made courtesy calls on Deputy Chief Ministers, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Leonard Linggi Tun Jugah and the Deputy Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Datuk Alexander NantaLinggi.
Jabang also thanked Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, various elected representatives and Dayak leaders including Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Tan Sri James Masing, Datuk Alexander Nanta, Datuk Aaron Dagang, Datuk Wilson Ugak, Datuk Ambrose Blikau, Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Christopher Gira, Rolland Duat, Allen Siden Gramong for their support in financing KGS activities.
“Now we have a body that could help to preserve the traditional Iban warrior costumes. The effort of our forefathers has not gone to waste.
“I am glad that among our members there are some who are experts in ‘gagung’ making. We all have the same objectives and we possess the same vision to ensure that the club move forward,” he said.
