Source/Author: By Michael William

Alice Jawan, the GCMW President was recently conferred the ‘Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak’ (P.S.B.S.) which carries the title “Dato” at the 78th Birthday of the Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak on the 13th September 2014. She is the first non-political Iban to be awarded or honored from the 3rd Division or Sibu area. Thus, it is a great honor for women specifically to be accorded this honor for contribution in a Non-Government Organization (NGO) or Christian women ministry. Beside this State award, she was also recognized by the State and featured in the coffee table book - “Sarawak Women in Volunteerism” which was launched at this year’s State Women’s Day celebration in September. The book was produced under the Ministry of Welfare, Women, & Family Development, Sarawak.

Dato Alice Jawan serves as the Deputy General Manager of Sibu Water Board, dealing with the development, production, and distribution of treated water to the communities of Sibu. Over the years, she has led the organization in many ‘first’; notably the implementation of the Integrated Management System which have been recognized by the State and Nation, and currently is dealing with Non-Revenue Water (NRW) where she heads the State Working Group in reducing the non-revenue water or wastage in the State’s organization. She has written and presented technical papers relating to NRW in international conferences in several countries. In the state, she is known for her contribution to the Dayak women organization. The main organization that she worked with is the Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak based in Sibu.

List of NGOs that she is involved with:-
- Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak, Sibu of which she is the Chairperson;
- Persatuan Ibu Tunggal Sarawak, Sibu of which she is the Advisor; and
- Bala Indu Methodist-SIAC & GCMW.

She also serves the community in various ways, leading the community in organizing of the annual Gawai celebration and Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival, respectively.

Two guiding principles that has shaped her is to ask, seek and knock (Luke 11:9) and to be light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16).

While interviewing her, she has attributed a lot of her success to the kind advice and encouragement from President Rev. Steward Damat, Rev. Elizabeth Enjut, and the late Rev. Serani Pillai who always had faith in her capabilities to serve Him.

Congratulations again to our own Dato Alice Jawan.