KUCHING: The Bidayuh community here has set up a society to enhance literary culture, in particular reading habit and English proficiency among its youths.
Newly registered Dayak Bidayuh Literary Society (DBLS) held its inaugural Central Committee meeting at Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Headquarters here yesterday. The meeting was chaired by president Datuk John Tenewi Nuek.
“DBLS believes that reading is the most important factor that determines a student’s progress.
“It is also a critical determinant for leadership, by looking at history, it is clear that effective leaders were always avid readers. You could not be a leader without being a reader,” Tenewi said after the meeting.
DBLS was officially registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on August 6.
Its objectives are to promote literary tradition within the Bidayuh community based on English, Bidayuh, Bahasa Malaysia and other languages as well as reading habit, public speaking and other literary genres.
It will also conduct researches, develops, publishes, promotes, protects and disseminates literary materials produced by the Bidayuh community; developing literary talents within the community and complement efforts by other communities in the creation of the nation’s literary tradition.
He noted that while DBLS is a distinct Bidayuh non-governmental organisation (NGO), it will work with fellow Bidayuh or non-Bidayuh NGOs in the pursuit of common literary interests.
“Currently, apart from its reading project (bringing reading to the village children and their mothers), DBLS is also engaging itself in its flagship project to write a comprehensive research-based book called ‘History of the Bidayuh’,” Tenewi said.
DBLS has close to 30 members to date. The society is open to all Bidayuhs aged 18 years and above. To be a member, an adult has to pay an entrance fee of RM100 and an annual subscription/membership fee of RM50. For junior members, the entrance fee as well as annual subscription/membership fee is RM10 each.
