KUCHING, June 16: Dayak National Congress (DNC) president Paul Raja should be the one to apologise for being “dirty-minded” about the cowboy dance performance at a recent Gawai Dayak dinner held in Sibu, says Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
Tiong, who was among the VIPs at the dinner event, said Paul had taken the performance which the latter had alleged as “dirty dancing” and a “desecration to the sanctity of the Gawai celebration” out of context, thus victimising the innocent performers.
“The Gawai Dayak festival is widely celebrated to honour the multi-cultural and harmonious co-existence of all races.
“Unfortunately, it has been mutated into a racial issue. Screenshots of performers at a recent dinner for Gawai Dayak has been shared online and disrupted the daily lives of those involved with the event.
“This development is very disturbing because all forms of dances should be treated with equal respect.
“In fact, it is DNC president Paul Raja who should apologise to the performers and the public for taking the performance out of context, belittling the cultural and artistic performances, and creating unnecessary turmoil,” said Tiong in a statement today.
Denying the claims of nudity, he said the costumes worn by the performers on that night were not inappropriate.
Citing examples like Hawaiian performers and topless sunbathers on foreign beaches, he questioned whether these people should apologise as well, based on Paul’s arguments.
Tiong also slammed Paul for “creating issues out of thin air” and threatening the harmonious social fabric of Sarawak by instigating a racial issue.
“His actions should not be tolerated nor allowed to sprout in East Malaysia,” said Tiong. — DayakDaily
