KUCHING, May 29: Despite this year’s merrier Gawai Dayak celebration, it doesn’t mean one has to spend extravagantly, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Snowdan, who is also Balai Ringin assemblyman, said the good harvest this year would make the Gawai Dayak celebration grander partly due to reasonable commodity prices, especially from oil palm fruit bunches that fetched no less than RM1,000 per tonne for the past months.
“Spend wisely and only on what your family needs and not what you want. Spare some finances for your children’s education and save for rainy days,” he said in a statement today.
Snowdan added that the improved land transport system along the Pan Borneo Highway, coupled with the return of those who could not return for the last two years due to the pandemic, would contribute to a grander Gawai Dayak celebration this year.
He also reminded the public not to take their health for granted during the festive season because the fight against pandemics is yet to be over.
“For those travelling and driving back over long distances, do drive safely. It’s better to be late than sorry. Ensure your vehicles are in good condition.
“On behalf of my family, I wish all my Cabinet colleagues, friends, relatives and especially my rakyat in the constituency of Balai Ringin, ‘Selamat Ngintu Hari Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai, Chelap Lindap, Lantang Senang Nguan Menua’,” he said. — DayakDaily
