BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS and NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY
KUCHING: The state government will continue to support the preservation, promotion and promulgation of Adat through the Majlis Adat Istiadat.
In giving this assurance, Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai said this is to ensure the social and moral well-being of native communities is well looked after.
“Adat has always been reinforced by age-old traditions and became part of a social cohesion that bound members of the community together as a social group.
“Any member who does not want to be bound by such social contracts may opt out by moving out of the community,” he said, pointing out the main purpose was to promote and maintain harmony, unity and well-being in the community.
“Without such Adat a native community could disintegrate,” he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Tuesday (Nov 29).
On the other hand, Sikie stressed that the establishment of Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (MAIS) under the MAIS Ordinance 1977 gave it effect as a body corporate with perpetual succession.
“With that in view, MAIS is preparing and gearing itself to realise its aspiration,” he added.
He also said that works on corporatisation are in progress in tandem with the MAIS Strategic Plan 2022 to 2026.
“Among the most notable proposals that MAIS is embarking on is the setting up of a Research Institute on the Adat of various ethnic groups.
“This institute would strengthen its position as the focal agency in relation to native adat and traditions,” he said.
He then pointed our that the programme will be the key enabler to Majlis Adat Istiadat to fully utilise its research capacity in the development and promotion of native Adat.
“It also acts as a platform in preserving, nurturing and promoting native customs and traditions,” he added.
