MIRI (Aug 2): Sarawak Iban Language and Handicrafts Symposium 2024 will be a stepping stone towards adopting resolutions on concerted conservation efforts and enabling the community to meet the challenges ahead, said Dr Penguang Manggil.

As such, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government called on participants to identify pertinent issues which could be incorporated into resolutions to be presented to the Sarawak Government as future guidelines.

“As such, our words spoken have become mixed, and that is why I hope that this matter can be refined and explained in depth to the younger generation,” he said.

He also looked forward to online public feedback from netizens following the symposium in his Facebook live stream.

Penguang was speaking when officiating the symposium at a hotel here today, organised by the Marudi service centre.

The symposium saw over 400 participants from all over Sarawak, especially the Iban community from the Miri Division, Ulu Rajang, Lubok Antu, Saratok and Betong

Six topics and three forums would be featured throughout the two-day event, featuring eminent speakers, moderators, and panellists who are experts in the respective fields.

Held alongside this symposium is the handicraft competition which started on April 1, which attracted 65 participants from throughout the state.

Some of the handicraft items being displayed at the gallery.

Penguang also hoped that the symposium would be a source of encouragement and joy to not only the participants but those seeing the products on display.

He commended those who had assisted in making the symposium a success with their contributions, support and encouragement, including presentation of books, documentaries, innovations, recordings for archive and others.

He also hoped that educational institutions, non-governmental organisations, longhouse chiefs and others at the symposium would share their knowledge and exposure gained here with those in their respective areas.

Also present were Minister in Sarawak Premier Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai.

Another section of the gallery displays the ‘terabai’ (Iban traditional warrior’s shields).