MIRI (Sept 8): Language development can help improve the way of life as well as the nation’s economy, especially when it has begun to spread and is being learnt by people in other nations.

In voicing this out, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Majang Renggi said the same thing could happen with the Iban language.

He said that while the development of the Iban language continues, the Iban people should take an active role in conserving, improving and appreciating the language so it can be elevated to a higher level.

“The development of the Iban language requires all of our support, regardless of age, skill, income and lifestyle. Also, the responsibility of highlighting the importance of Iban language as a pillar of national knowledge should be observed by every Iban,” said Majang, who is also Samalaju assemblyman.

He said this in his officiating address at the Miri Division Dato Dr Nuing Jeluing secondary school-level Iban public speaking competition, organised by Dayak Association Miri (DAM) Youth section at Curtin University Malaysia yesterday.

Majang believes that with support from various sources, such as the Tun Jugah Foundation and the Dayak Culture Foundation, the Iban language can be improved to become comparable or at par with other languages.

“Although the Iban language is taught in classrooms from primary schools all the way up to higher education institutions, the idea should still be observed so the language can face the effects of globalisation.

“For example, the Iban language can now be easily found and read via Google Translate,” he said.

Touching on the competition, Majang said it was a great way to share the Iban language with the public to further empower it.

“Public speaking competitions like this should be extended to other areas through the District Education Office (PPD) because it can be a platform for students to voice their views, in addition to training them to use the correct Iban words.

“I hope all of us, especially the Iban people, will always work together to further develop the Iban language,” he said further.

Also present was DAM president Penghulu Wilfred Mac.