UNIMAS is required to include custom Iban elements in the education course

SIBU, 8 Oct: The Sarawak Institute of Culture (MAIS) has been asked to consult with the Malaysian University of Sarawak (UNIMAS) to include elements related to Iban customs in the Bachelor's Degree course in Iban Language Education that will be offered by the university.

Deputy Prime Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embassy said the move is important to ensure that Iban customs continue to be preserved, studied, recorded and passed on to future generations without compromising their original values and principles.

"UNIMAS has agreed to open the course at the Faculty of Languages and Communication, while Iban Language lecturers are now actively developing corresponding study scales", he said during his inaugural address for the Iban Custom Symposium 2026 here today.

Uggah said the elements of Iban culture should be included in the curriculum to give students exposure to the customs and heritage of the Iban community.

"The proposal is in line with MAIS' role in preserving, protecting and consolidating the traditions and heritage of the indigenous people of Sarawak", he said.

In the meantime, he said, efforts to duplicate the 1993 Iban customs are being actively implemented through a round-table session with Tuai Rumah, Penghulu, Pemancha, Temenggong, Regional Offices and Residents across Sarawak since 2021.

Uggah insisted that all stakeholders should be involved to ensure any proposals for custom Iban declarations are made thoroughly.

He also emphasized the importance of documentation, research and systematic oral knowledge gathering by leveraging technology so that traditional treasures are accessible to new generations.

"We congratulate Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat on his appointment as Chairman of the MAIS Council and attribute his extensive experience in public service, academic as well as cultural and integration fields as a force to lead MAIS", he said.

The Iban Custom Symposium 2026 was organized for the first time by MAIS in collaboration with 12 Residential Offices and 40 Regional Offices across Sarawak, involving approximately 500 participants comprising Iban community leaders, state government agencies and non-governmental bodies.

The symposium, entitled "Iban Ethics from a Social Law perspective", also featured three presentation sessions as well as the forum "Iban Ethics: The Way Forward".