KUCHING (Oct 8): Protecting ancestral land or ‘tanah adat’ is crucial to ensuring the survival and wellbeing of the Bidayuh community, said Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) advisor Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.

According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, Sagah described tanah adat, including Tana’ Ratus, Tana’ Mowang, Tana’ Plaman, Tana’ Tu’an Obuoh, and Bung-bung Bidayuh, as the heart of Bidayuh heritage and identity.

“Our customary land is our survival. If we lose it, we risk losing our future,” he said, urging the community to remain vigilant in safeguarding ancestral land for future generations.

Sagah, who is also Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, said this when officiating the Symposium Adat Bidayuh 2025 held at the DBNA multipurpose hall here today.

The symposium, themed ‘Preservation and Development of Adat Bidayuh’, drew over 550 participants from Lundu, Bau, Padawan, Siburan, Serian and Tebedu, comprising community leaders, government representatives and researchers.

Sagah commended the Sarawak Council for Native Customs and Traditions (Mais) for its ongoing review of the Adat Bidayuh 1994, a customary code that has long guided the Bidayuh social structure and governance.

“Adat is, at its heart, the law of the people, by the people, and for the people. Its survival depends not only on legislation but on us recognising its value.

“Customs must evolve with time while staying true to the spirit of unity and harmony,” he said.

He also lauded Mais and the Bidayuh Ethnic Research Section for conducting extensive field studies since 2022, involving local ketua masyarakat (community leaders) and experts from all Bidayuh subgroups to ensure that revisions to the customary code reflect current realities and community needs.

Sagah expressed confidence that the symposium would mark a new phase in strengthening Bidayuh customs and governance.

Earlier, Mais secretary Mackos Sibong said the symposium served as a platform to empower grassroots leaders, present preliminary findings from the Adat Bidayuh review, and gather input before the codification process.