SDNU proposes ‘Pendam Temuai' for non-resident Dayaks in Kuching or Samarahan
KUCHING (May 8): Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) is planning to apply for land to set up a 'Pendam Temuai' (visitors' grave) in either Kuching or Samarahan, said its deputy president Christopher Gira Sambang.
He said this was because the SDNU graveyard located at Siol Kandis here was only, in principle, for members of the branch and their family.
Additionally, there have been no more plots available at the SDNU graveyard at Jalan Chawan.
'Of late, there have been a few cases where deceased members of the Dayak community from outside Kuching were buried at the SDNU Siol Kandis graveyard, but only on a case-by-case basis.
'The situation has now become concerning for Dayak people, especially when the deceased persons are non-residents of Kuching or Samarahan, or non-Christian. There were a few cases when non-residents (of Kuching or Samarahan) and non-Christian Dayaks who came to Kuching for medical attention suddenly passed away.
'This then caused a dilemma for the family members when they could not send their remains home outside Kuching, as there is no immediate 'Pendam Temuai' or 'Pendam Antarabangsa' (international graveyard) – unless they are Christians, the family members may be given the offer to negotiate for a plot but even then, there would be no guarantee for success and only causes anxiety,' he said.
He said as a short-term solution, the SDNU Siol Kandis graveyard should be opened to Dayaks not from Kuching or Samarahan.
Gira also suggested the graveyard committee impose an appropriate fee that is distinct from the one imposed on branch members.
He added he had made a similar call in his speech during the SDNU Siol Kandis 'Santai' programme on April 27, which the union's president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom attended as guest-of-honour.
During the programme, Mawan pledged a RM10,000 grant to SDNU Siol Kandis, while Gira and SDNU vice president Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong both pledged RM5,000 each.
Mawan also pledged RM10,000 to the Kampung Siol Kandis village security and development committee (JKKK) and an additional RM5,000 to Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Siol Kandis.
Gira also pledged RM5,000 each to SDNU Central Youth wing, SIDS Siol Kandis and the Kampung Siol Kandis JKKK.
Also present were SDNU Siol Kandis branch chairman Pani Igoh, SDNU Central Youth chief Amarjeet John Gendi, SIDS Siol Kandis chairperson Catherine Jawi, Kampung Siol Kandis headman Ghani Udai, Penghulu Jos Jawa and other SDNU executive committee members. Christopher Gira Sambang Kuching-Samarahan lead Pendam Temuai SDNU
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Malaysia
14 hours ago
- Herald Malaysia
Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza
Pope Leo XIV has renewed his urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza following a deadly Israeli military strike on the Holy Family Catholic parish — the only Catholic church in the war-torn enclave. Jul 25, 2025 Damage can be seen next to the cross on the roof of the Holy Family Church in Gaza after it was hit in an attack July 17, 2025. (CNS photo/courtesy Aid to the Church in Need, UK) VATICAN: Pope Leo XIV has renewed his urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza following a deadly Israeli military strike on the Holy Family Catholic parish — the only Catholic church in the war-torn enclave. The attack, which left at least three people dead and several others wounded, including parish priest Fr Gabriel Romanelli, has drawn widespread condemnation from the Catholic a telegram sent on behalf of the Holy Father by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and injuries caused by the attack. He extended his spiritual closeness to the wounded, especially Fr Romanelli, and to the entire parish Pope commended the souls of the deceased to 'the loving mercy of Almighty God,' offered prayers for the recovery of the injured, and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families. 'The Holy Father renews his appeal for an immediate ceasefire,' the telegram stated, 'and expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and enduring peace in the region.'The Holy Family Church compound in Gaza, which currently shelters around 500 displaced Christians, was struck on the morning of July 17 by what the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim was a tank shell fired in error. However, Church officials remain Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, confirmed in an interview with Vatican News that the church was directly hit, resulting in serious casualties. 'There are four people seriously wounded,' he said, 'and among these, two are in very critical condition.' He added that Fr Romanelli, though lightly injured, was inside the church during the with Gaza remains difficult, complicating efforts to obtain precise details about the incident. However, the Patriarch stressed that the church will continue to stand by the community. 'We will never leave them alone,' he affirmed, adding that efforts are underway to ensure protection for civilians and sacred spaces Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a strong statement condemning the raid, describing it as part of a wider tragedy engulfing Gaza. 'This targeting of innocent civilians and a sacred place is humanly and morally unjustified,' the statement read. 'This tragedy is not greater or more terrible than the many others that have befallen Gaza. Death, suffering, and destruction are everywhere.'Appealing to world leaders, the Patriarchate called for urgent international action to end the violence. 'The time has come for leaders to raise their voices and to do all that is necessary to stop this tragedy,' it said. 'This horrific war must come to a complete end, so that we may commence the long work of restoring human dignity.' Since the outbreak of war on Oct 7, 2023, over 60,200 people have been reported killed, including more than 58,000 Palestinians and nearly 2,000 Israelis, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.' --Vatican News
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
As Japan flounders, LDP hunts for a new face to lead
TOKYO, July 25 — Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba looks on thin ice. AFP looks at the reasons and at who might instead helm his moribund party, at a challenging time for the Asian powerhouse. What ails Japan? Japan has a rapidly ageing population, colossal national debt, and the economy is teetering on the brink of recession as inflation pinches consumers. Despite a new trade deal with President Donald Trump, Japanese imports still face tariffs of 15 per cent and Tokyo has promised US$550 billion (RM2.3 trillion) of investments into the US economy. The close US strategic ally is also under pressure to further hike defence spending and be more muscular in case of confrontation with China over Taiwan. Who is Shigeru Ishiba? Diligent career politician Ishiba, 68, is from Japan's tiny Christian minority and is partial to policy nitty-gritty, model battleships and cigarettes. Seen as a safe pair of hands, he became the ninth person since 2000 to lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on his fifth attempt in September, promising a 'new Japan'. But his poll rating has plummeted because of anger over rice prices and a party funding scandal. Ishiba's gaffes have also prompted ridicule on social media. One survey in the Yomiuri daily conducted over the long weekend after Sunday's election put backing his cabinet at just 22 per cent. 'Ishiba, who had been seen as someone who could reform the LDP, failed to demonstrate what he wanted to do after taking office,' Sadafumi Kawato, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, told AFP. What about the LDP? The LDP has governed almost non-stop since 1955, but one of the world's historically most successful parties needs a reboot. Sunday's upper house election calamity means that the ruling coalition is now in a minority in both chambers, a first for a Japanese government since 1945. Support has leaked to smaller parties, including notably the populist 'Japanese first' Sanseito, although the fragmented opposition is seen as unable to cobble together an alternative government. Rising cost-of-living concerns resulted in 'unpleasant anti-foreign rhetoric' during the election campaign, Moody's Analytics economist Stefan Angrick told AFP. 'You need a government that actually has a forward-looking agenda, that has a vision for where to take the economy,' he said. Will Ishiba quit? Despite comments on Wednesday interpreted by some media as ruling this out, multiple reports still say that it is just a matter of timing. The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported that Ishiba will announce his resignation by the end of August. Kyodo News said that his departure is 'inevitable'. The LDP's Youth Bureau held an online meeting where a majority of participants said Ishiba's 'immediate resignation' was necessary, the bureau's head and MP Yasutaka Nakasone said. Who could replace him? Despite the challenges, the Yomiuri suggested no fewer than nine possible successors in a leadership contest that could happen in September. One is Sanae Takaichi, a hardline nationalist and onetime heavy metal drummer who lost to Ishiba last time. She would be Japan's first woman premier. Others include the liberal-leaning, US-educated Taro Kono, reputedly short-fused former LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi, and chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. All are in their 60s. A younger option is Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, the telegenic, surfing son of an ex-premier who was recently tasked with lowering rice prices. '(This) could be a great opportunity to break through the sentiment of stagnation or decline of national power, especially if political leadership shifts to a younger generation,' UBS economist Masamichi Adachi said. Japan's 'decline will not halt without a significant shift in politics that can push through reforms that have not been seen in the last 40 years,' he said. — AFP
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Why Japan's PM is in danger, and who wants his job
JAPAN'S Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba looks on thin ice. AFP looks at the reasons and at who might instead helm his moribund party, at a challenging time for the Asian powerhouse. Japan has a rapidly ageing population, colossal national debt, and the economy is teetering on the brink of recession as inflation pinches consumers. Despite a new trade deal with President Donald Trump, Japanese imports still face tariffs of 15 per cent and Tokyo has promised US$550 billion of investments into the US economy. The close US strategic ally is also under pressure to further hike defence spending and be more muscular in case of confrontation with China over Taiwan. Diligent career politician Ishiba, 68, is from Japan's tiny Christian minority and is partial to policy nitty-gritty, model battleships and cigarettes. Seen as a safe pair of hands, he became the ninth person since 2000 to lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on his fifth attempt in September, promising a "new Japan." But his poll rating has plummeted because of anger over rice prices and a party funding scandal. Ishiba's gaffes have also prompted ridicule on social media. One survey in the Yomiuri daily conducted over the long weekend after Sunday's election put backing his cabinet at just 22 per cent. "Ishiba, who had been seen as someone who could reform the LDP, failed to demonstrate what he wanted to do after taking office," Sadafumi Kawato, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, told AFP. The LDP has governed almost non-stop since 1955, but one of the world's historically most successful parties needs a reboot. Sunday's upper house election calamity means that the ruling coalition is now in a minority in both chambers, a first for a Japanese government since 1945. Support has leaked to smaller parties, including notably the populist "Japanese first" Sanseito, although the fragmented opposition is seen as unable to cobble together an alternative government. Rising cost-of-living concerns resulted in "unpleasant anti-foreign rhetoric" during the election campaign, Moody's Analytics economist Stefan Angrick told AFP. "You need a government that actually has a forward-looking agenda, that has a vision for where to take the economy," he said. Despite comments on Wednesday interpreted by some media as ruling this out, multiple reports still say that it is just a matter of timing. The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported that Ishiba will announce his resignation by the end of August. Kyodo News said that his departure is "inevitable." The LDP's Youth Bureau held an online meeting where a majority of participants said Ishiba's "immediate resignation" was necessary, the bureau's head and MP Yasutaka Nakasone said. Despite the challenges, the Yomiuri suggested no fewer than nine possible successors in a leadership contest that could happen in September. One is Sanae Takaichi, a hardline nationalist and onetime heavy metal drummer who lost to Ishiba last time. She would be Japan's first woman premier. Others include the liberal-leaning, US-educated Taro Kono, reputedly short-fused former LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi, and chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. All are in their 60s. A younger option is Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, the telegenic, surfing son of an ex-premier who was recently tasked with lowering rice prices. "(This) could be a great opportunity to break through the sentiment of stagnation or decline of national power, especially if political leadership shifts to a younger generation," UBS economist Masamichi Adachi said. Japan's "decline will not halt without a significant shift in politics that can push through reforms that have not been seen in the last 40 years," he said. * The writer is from AFP
