PALANGKARAYA: (Indonesia): The International Seminar “The Great Borneo’s Assembly” (Pumpung Hai Borneo) marks the active presence of the Dayak community in global civilization, serving as a catalyst for greater cooperation between Kalimantan, Sabah, and Sarawak.
President of the Borneo Dayak Forum (BDF), Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said the gathering of Dayaks from across Borneo in Central Kalimantan was a historic moment that united voices, spirit, and vision.
“We gather to envision the future of the Indigenous Dayak community in order to address the paradox of Borneo’s immense natural wealth that has not translated into socio-economic progress for its people, largely due to colonial legacies and lack of infrastructure,” he said.
Dr Jeffrey, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, emphasized that while our ancestors were familiar only with their villages, they nevertheless passed down local wisdom, customary law, arts, and values of togetherness as a strong foundation for stepping onto the global stage.
The assembly, held in conjunction with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, carried the theme “Quo Vadis, Dayak” to explore the future of the Dayak community in light of Borneo’s socio-economic and political landscape.
The gathering highlighted key areas including the revitalization of customary law, digital transformation and creative economy among youth, agricultural and sustainable environmental development, pan-Borneo tourism, strengthening education rooted in cultural traditions, and the crucial role of Dayak women.
According to Dr Jeffrey, strengthening these aspects aims to build a bridge between tradition and modernization, between local identity and global civilization.
With this vision in mind, Dr Jeffrey proposed strategic initiatives such as reviving the Borneo Games and Borneo Cultural Festival to reinforce unity through tradition and culture.
“The effort to establish customary schools across Borneo must be activated to create a mechanism for continuous dialogue through the Borneo Dayak Forum, to enhance international presence via the Dayak International Organization (DIO) and the United Nations, in pursuit of recognition of the Borneo Dayak Nation based on customary law,” he added.
Also in attendance were the Governor and representatives of all provinces across Kalimantan, the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, Dayak Senators and Members of Parliament of Indonesia, community leaders of Dayak across the Borneo Archipelago, Dayak academics and researchers, NGOs, and youth leaders.
President of the Borneo Dayak Forum (BDF), Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said the gathering of Dayaks from across Borneo in Central Kalimantan was a historic moment that united voices, spirit, and vision.
“We gather to envision the future of the Indigenous Dayak community in order to address the paradox of Borneo’s immense natural wealth that has not translated into socio-economic progress for its people, largely due to colonial legacies and lack of infrastructure,” he said.
Dr Jeffrey, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, emphasized that while our ancestors were familiar only with their villages, they nevertheless passed down local wisdom, customary law, arts, and values of togetherness as a strong foundation for stepping onto the global stage.
The assembly, held in conjunction with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, carried the theme “Quo Vadis, Dayak” to explore the future of the Dayak community in light of Borneo’s socio-economic and political landscape.
The gathering highlighted key areas including the revitalization of customary law, digital transformation and creative economy among youth, agricultural and sustainable environmental development, pan-Borneo tourism, strengthening education rooted in cultural traditions, and the crucial role of Dayak women.
According to Dr Jeffrey, strengthening these aspects aims to build a bridge between tradition and modernization, between local identity and global civilization.
With this vision in mind, Dr Jeffrey proposed strategic initiatives such as reviving the Borneo Games and Borneo Cultural Festival to reinforce unity through tradition and culture.
“The effort to establish customary schools across Borneo must be activated to create a mechanism for continuous dialogue through the Borneo Dayak Forum, to enhance international presence via the Dayak International Organization (DIO) and the United Nations, in pursuit of recognition of the Borneo Dayak Nation based on customary law,” he added.
Also in attendance were the Governor and representatives of all provinces across Kalimantan, the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, Dayak Senators and Members of Parliament of Indonesia, community leaders of Dayak across the Borneo Archipelago, Dayak academics and researchers, NGOs, and youth leaders.