By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 17: Alecia Tiara Herrie and Christ Marvinson Libau have been crowned ‘Kumang’ and ‘Keling’, respectively, at the Balai Ringin Gawai Dayak Arts and Culture Festival 2025.
Both won RM2,000 cash, a sash, a trophy, and a certificate each, with Alecia also receiving a crown and a bouquet.
The prizes were handed over to them during the closing ceremony of the festival, which was officiated by Balai Ringin assemblyman and Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak Datuk Snowdan Lawan on Saturday (June 14).
During the prize-giving ceremony, Snowdan presented prizes to the ‘Keling’ category winners while his wife, Datin Melinda Claudia Bucking, gave away prizes to the ‘Kumang’ category winners.
Following behind Alecia was first runner-up Sharmin Dara Mellia John Meling, who won RM1,700 cash, while second runner-up Firra Firdiana Jimat brought home RM1,500. Both also received a crown, a sash, a trophy, a bouquet, and a certificate each.
Consolation prizes of RM300 cash and a certificate each were also given to Eve Esmerelda Elam Steward, Syrel Engrid Justine, and Pamella Devrinna Jawai.
Following Christ’s win were Laja Samuel Unting Jonanthan and Dicglos Igai Beti as first and second runners-up, respectively. Both took home cash prizes (RM1,700 for Laja and RM1,500 for Dicglos), as well as a sash, trophy, and certificate each.
Maxweil Bangi Mauder, Rudy Carlos Nginang, and Jhay Aryshin Kayum each brought home consolation prizes of RM300 cash, a sash, and a certificate.
Meanwhile, Snowdan urged the people to maintain and defend the existing harmony that prevails in Sarawak.
“Despite our various ethnicities, we are well known as guardians of our existing harmony.
“Though we have as many as 34 officially documented ethnic groups in the State, this diversity does not halt us from being united,” he said.
Snowdan further remarked that the government will continue to support events like this to promote understanding among the various communities.
In line with that vision, Snowdan announced that the next edition of the festival will be held at the Balai Ringin Mini Stadium, which has a larger seating capacity of up to 1,500 people, making it more convenient with ample parking.
“The new stadium is now completed and is scheduled to be officially opened by the end of this June, and it is of world IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) standard,” he said.
The two-day festival was held from June 13 to 14 and organised by the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) Balai Ringin, drawing in about 1,200 visitors.
Apart from the pageants, the festival also featured activities such as a food fair, craft booths, Iban poetry, cultural performances, a Battle of the Bands, and entertainment by local artists, including Ricky Andrewson Ngalai and Lucy M.
Additionally, Snowdan also pledged a Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant of RM20,000 for the organiser to finance their annual activities.
Serian Resident representative, Mohamad Rashdan Hazemi; Serian District Office representative, Natasha Tiong Nulie; Department of Irrigation And Drainage (DID) Serian engineer, Ahong Manchu; Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Sarawak Permanent Secretary Office representative, Barry Lian; PVATM Balai Ringin chairman and organising chairman, Latif Rimsad, community leaders, and councillors were also present. — DayakDaily
