KUCHING: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) has embarked on a project to translate the Sarawak Land Code 1958.
PBDSB president Bobby William said the initiative was undertaken by the party itself so that the Dayaks could have better understanding of their land rights.
“We would like to inform the public and the Dayaks in particular that the party, through its legal advisors, has embarked on a project to translate the Sarawak Land Code 1958 which was originally written in English.
“This is so that the Dayaks, especially the Ibans from rural areas, can have better understanding of their land rights as written in the Land Code,” he explained.
Bobby also pointed out that so far, no political parties or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had undertaken such a tedious and monumental effort before.
“PBDSB is aware of the importance of the Dayaks having a fair knowledge of the land code as native lands are their biggest asset. Presently, many of them are ignorant of their rights as spelt out in the Sarawak Land Code 1958.
“With the translated land code available at their fingertips, it is hoped that the Dayaks will not continue to be misled by irresponsible individuals,” he said.
He added that there were plans to translate the land code into other Dayak tribal languages such as Bidayuh and Kayan in the future.
