KUCHING, May 23: Engineer Ullia Ulanda Rumpang, 23, is crowned the fairest in the Kumang Gawai Dayak 2022 Betong Beauty Contest.
The first and second runners-up were 24-year-old student Helina Laing Dugat and 24-year-old teacher Angeline Luyah Wheeler Hersey, respectively.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and his wife Datuk Doreen Mayang were present to share the joy. The latter was invited to present the winning ladies with their trophies and prizes.
Amid the celebration of beauty and pre-Gawai festivities, Uggah reminded the attendants to continue to be vigilant and not to neglect Covid-19 preventive guidelines set by the Health Ministry.
“Avoid mixing around when you are unwell. Do your own self testings as they are now easily available at a very affordable price,” he cautioned when officiating at the Betong Division Gawai Dayak 2022 dinner gathering at the Dewan Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan in Betong on Sunday evening (May 22).
Meanwhile, he also told Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to make it a point to know and understand the many programmes under the Sarawak Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 to take advantage of them.
“When we want to fish, we must know where ‘lubok’ (deep pools) teeming with the Empurau or the Semah are. Similarly, if we want to look for fruits, we must know where the prolific durian and rambutan gardens are.
“If the community is in the dark of the PCDS, they will not be able to participate in it. When they fail to participate, they will be left out and are at great disadvantage.
“So what will happen? Like what had happened in the past, there will be the accusations that the community is deliberately being left behind. This is not true because the PCDS is for all Sarawakians, regardless of their race or religion, social background, or origin.
“The Dayak community must have the interest and commitment to participate. They can pool their assets and resources and use their intelligence. After all, they have many well qualified people including PhD holders,” said Uggah.
He said PCDS 2030, created by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to recover from the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, is a programme based on data, innovations, and technologies.
“It is to usher Sarawak into a high income region by 2030 where, among others, Sarawakians will be more prosperous, their livelihoods are secured and are of high standards, and their education facilities are top notch,” said Uggah. — DayakDaily
