By Shikin Louis & Amanda L
KUCHING, June 21: Dayak communities in Sarawak are seeking larger annual federal allocations for Native Customary Rights (NCR) land surveying to accelerate efforts to unlock the economic potential of their land and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of rural communities.
Making the appeal on behalf of the Dayak community, Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government I (Public Health and Housing) Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, expressed appreciation to both the Sarawak and federal governments for providing annual grants to support NCR land surveys under an initiative that began in 2010.
“In this regard, we sincerely appeal to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) to continue this kind gesture and perhaps give Sarawak a bigger annual grant in the years to come to assist the government to survey more NCR land under the said initiative.
“This would enable the Dayak community to monetise its land bank and, in turn, help enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of rural communities,” he said when speaking during the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak 2026 Gala Dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) tonight.
Penguang’s appeal comes amid continued federal government support for NCR land surveying in Sarawak. Under Budget 2026, the federal government announced a RM6 billion development allocation for Sarawak, although no specific allocation for NCR land surveying was detailed. In Budget 2025, Putrajaya had earmarked RM15 million for the programme, which forms part of ongoing efforts to survey and recognise NCR land across the State.
His remarks were delivered in the presence of Sarawak Governor (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Earlier in his speech, Penguang, who is the State-level Gawai Dayak 2026 organising chairman, thanked Anwar and the federal government for their support towards the event, including a RM1 million contribution channelled through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
He also expressed appreciation to Abang Johari for allocating RM2 million to support this year’s Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak celebration.
Meanwhile, Penguang described Gawai Dayak as a celebration that has evolved beyond its origins as a post-harvest thanksgiving festival to become a symbol of unity among Sarawak’s diverse communities.
He noted that since being gazetted as a public holiday in 1964 and officially celebrated Statewide for the first time on June 1, 1965, Gawai Dayak has grown into a festival embraced by all Sarawakians regardless of race, religion, or background.
This year’s State-level Gawai Dayak celebration, hosted by the Iban community, culminated tonight with a gala dinner themed “Segulai Sejalai” and featuring the concept “Ruai to the World”. — DayakDaily
