Permodalan Dayak Berhad

Datuk Ujang delivering his opening speech.

I was honoured to be able to join the other Dayak businessmen for a dinner cum talk on the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) investment arm - Permodalan Dayak Berhad last Saturday evening at the Grand Palace Hotel, Miri. Among those present were the President himself - Datuk Amar Linggi Jugah, Datuk Seri Celestine Ujang, Mr. Leonard Martin Uning, Mr. Alan Keripin, etc.

While the audience comprises of company employees from the oil and gas sector, not many Dayak business owners were present. However, it was great to see the bigger Dayak organizations sending their representative to get first-hand views on the investment arm of DCCI. Among those are members from Koperasi Rakyat Apoh, Dayak Association Miri, Dayak Bidayuh National Union, Association of Iban Village Chiefs, etc.

The session was well organised by the Miri liaison committee headed by Christopher and Telajan Luyoh.

Among questions raised up from the audience were the unavailability of prospectus, updated information on PDB at DCCI’s website, issuance of dividend, etc.

On the brighter side, investors just need to invest a minimum of RM1,000 (or 1,000 unit of shares)..

Further information:
Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Extract from The Borneo Post

Dayaks still need help to catch up
By Mohamad Abdullah

Community has been carried away too long by their dependence on farming: Ujang

MIRI: The Dayaks still need the help of the government to catch up with the other communities in the business sector.

Pemodalan Dayak Berhad (PDB)chairman Dato Sri Celestine Ujang Jilan, who said this, pointed out that this was because the community was still lagging far behind in business - largely due to their dependence on farming for a living in the interior.

Ujang also stressed the lack of capital was one of the main reasons the Dayaks were not actively involved in business despite ample opportunities provided by the government.

“We’re not blaming anybody but the reality is that the Dayak community lack the start-up capital and are consequently, left far behind in the business sector,” he said at a PDB dinner-cum-talk here on Sunday.

While government assistance was important, he added, it was also time for the Dayaks to make a committed effort to overcome their weaknesses and progress alongside the other races.

Ujang said the population of the Dayaks was estimated at 832,900 - 42 per cent of the two million people in the country.

From the total, only 2.3 per cent of Dayaks were involved in the business sector compared to 5.4 per cent (Malay) and 23 percent (Chinese), he pointed out.

Ujang said the government had provided the business infrastructure through economic development and political stability.

“The Dayaks also have a lot land to venture into the plantation sector, including the cultivation of palm oil.”

“However, the owners, instead of being pro-active, prefer to wait and leave their land idle.”

“With the second wave of development in the State and the country, the community should make a firm commitment to develop their economic assets and participate more actively in the business sector,” Ujang said.

Apart from government assistance, he added, the Dayaks must also equip themselves with knowledge and skill to compete well in the business sector.

DCCI President - Datuk Amar Linggi Jugah

Mr. Leonard Martin Uning

Mr. Telajan Luyoh

Mr. Abau, Baram Logistik Sdn Bhd

Dr. Nuing Jeluing (right) and spouse.