The Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has welcomed Sarawak government’s decison to amend its land laws in its next state legislative assembly sitting to allow the sale of Native Customary Right (NCR) land to other natives.

"This will allow NCR land to have marketable value. We hope the Dayak members of the august house will support the bill to allow it to be passed," said its president Joseph Salang Gandum.

The organisation also wants the state government to ensure the welfare and well-being of those affected by the construction of new hydroelectric power (HEP) dams.

Salang said today their social and economic well-being must take precedence over the economic returns of the dam.

He said this at the annual Gawai-Kaamatan celebration 2014 at Rh Miekle Ding, a 28-door modern Iban longhouse in Sungai Sekutan, Sebauh near here today.

"It is the hope of the Dayak community that these are looked into fairly and appropriately.

"Their resettlement programme must also be handled properly to avoid problems or regrets later," Salang, who is also the 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council chairman said.

At present Sarawak has three dams, Batang Ai, Bakun and Murum, and is planning to proceed with the construction of the Balleh and Baram dams next year.

Chamber wants piece of Score

Salang also hoped that the government would help the chamber members to participate in projects generated by the development of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score).

In his speech, Sabah Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KDCCI) president Bonipasius Bianis said both chambers hoped their next joint celebration would be included in the country's tourism event calender.

At the celebration, cultural troupes from both states staged their respective cultural performances plus a parade by six Gawai Dayak "Kumang" (beauty contest winners) from throughout the state and seven similar winners or "Unduk Ngadaus" from Sabah.

Chief Minister Adenan Satem was the guest of honour at the function, which was also attended by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili.

- Bernama