Change, democracy and the Dayak Iban society - shaping change, moving forward

This manuscript challenges Dayaks, whether lban, Bidayuh or Orang Ulu, on what they already knew so well, have intensely debated upon, and made countless suggestions to overcome issues and challenges that they have identified. Nevertheless, their society remains behind. Some of them argued that their societies were left behind deliberately, while others provided other reasons for such gaps between them and other more advanced societies. An interesting cliche that may or may not explain this Dayak conundrum might be: "can't see the forest for the trees." OR 'can't see the wood for the trees.' Are Dayaks busy focusing on the big picture, the first is that they missed important details such as the trees? Alternatively, could they be more engrossed in the small matters that they miss out on in the big picture in moving forward? No body can help them but themselves; as an important saying goes: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 [King James Version]) Thus. the essential element is change, and a person must first change himself to be able to move others forward together with him. In other sacred books it is also said, as follows: Sesun99uhnya Allah tidak akan mengubah nasib suatu kaum kecuali kaum itu sendiri yang mengubah nasibnya. Trans.: Indeed, Allah will not change the fate of a people unless the people themselves change their fate Quran al-Ra'd 13:11 Thus, how do you want to move forward? The answer is within each Dayak/ Iban. The decision is on you and in your hands.

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