Melanau cultural activist attributes success to Taib's belief in her

MIRI (Feb 22): A former journalist turned cultural activist has attributed her success to former governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Diana Rose, who came up with Sarawak’s unique sago-based batik, said the former Sarawak governor and chief minister was the reason she preserved against detractors who thought that she was crazy to pursue cultural heritage.

The native of Kampung Telian in Mukah, where she runs Lamin Dana Resort, has added value to sago with the production of Batik Linut textiles encompassing sago and Melanau motifs.

The Melanau entrepreneur shared that over three decades ago, before she embarked on her Lamin Dana project, she had sought Taib’s opinion on whether she was going on the right path.

“When everyone thought it was a useless idea and even labelled me as ‘mad’, Tun Pehin Sri Taib was the only one who believed I could do it,” she told The Borneo Post.

The then chief minister did however warn her that it would be a tough journey requiring her to be resilient and persevere until the end to succeed.

She recalled him saying: “Go as far as you can, be very focussed, be resilient, and do not bother with what people say about you. I trust you can make a difference.”

Diana said Taib’s trust was something that kept her going even in her darkest hours.

“His respect for me and my ability are something I treasure and its priceless!

“May God Almighty bless his soul and may he rest in peace,” she said.

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