Deputy Premier urges community leaders to master Iban customs, bolster Native Courts role

By DayakDaily Team

SIBU, Oct 8: Community Leaders and Heads of Race (KMKK), particularly Penghulu, Pemanca and Temenggong, must go beyond simply knowing Iban customs and develop a deeper understanding of their principles, rationale and application to strengthen their role in Sarawak’s Native Courts system.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this was crucial to ensure Iban customary heritage remained relevant, preserved and passed on to future generations.

“We want community leaders who not only know the customs, but also understand the principles, rationale and context behind them,” he said during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Iban Customs Symposium here today, according to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).