Borneo natives urged to unify vision and mission.

Borneo’s natives are making significant progress towards achieving equitable development in the fields of economy, social, culture, and politics, according to Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister.

Dr Kitingan emphasized the importance of further pushing for progress to realize the ultimate goal for indigenous groups across Sabah, Sarawak, and the broader Borneo region.

To ensure better coordination and foster stronger ties, he stressed the need for ongoing communication between these groups.

“For the indigenous populations of Borneo to have greater influence in their respective territories, it is crucial for them to adopt a unified vision and mission,” said Dr Kitingan during the opening of the World Indigenous Day celebration themed “In Search of Common Identity” in Kota Kinabalu.

He further stated that the seminar’s theme was fitting, as it highlighted the importance of various indigenous communities organizing themselves into associations as the first step towards empowerment.

“But one day, our aspiration is to witness true unity among the different ethnic groups in Borneo under the identity of ‘Orang Borneo’ or ‘Orang Dayak’,” he added. The seminar was attended by participants from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan.

“Its primary objectives are to facilitate dialogue, promote mutual understanding among diverse indigenous factions, emphasize the importance of a collective identity, and strategize to enhance the indigenous ecosystem of Borneo,” Dr Kitingan explained.

He highlighted the seminar’s pivotal role in establishing a more effective system for communication among various indigenous groups in Borneo.

“Once communication is established, the next priority will be organizing and protecting land rights and the environment,” he expressed.

Dr Kitingan also mentioned that they were already around 50% towards their goals of empowering the indigenous communities and expected to reach the 60% mark soon.

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of preserving indigenous culture, language, knowledge, and tradition, stating that celebrations like World Indigenous People’s Day symbolize noteworthy achievements and advancements for indigenous people.