By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 18: The Gawai Dayak Bazaar serves as a platform for the development and stimulation of local economic activities, with this year’s event focusing on cultural sustainability among the community, youth, and art enthusiasts.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas highlighted that this year’s bazaar features three organising clusters, hosting 18 activities over 11 days.
“Tonight we ‘berkampung’ at MJC Batu Kawa until May 26 for the first milestone event, the Gawai Dayak Bazaar.
“The Gawai Dayak Bazaar was previously held at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) grounds; however, it has been given a new lease on life at MJC Batu Kawah,” Uggah said in a text speech read by Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
Sagah represented Uggah to officiate at the Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2024 opening ceremony last night (May 17) at MJC Batu Kawa here.
“The Sarawak government is always attentive to the needs of the people. Referring to this year’s Sarawak budget theme ‘Development for All: Together Building a Prosperous, Sustainable, and United Sarawak’, it is not just a guideline; this theme is evidence of the government’s commitment to the people of Sarawak.
“It also clearly shows that the organisation of the Gawai Dayak Bazaar through the selection of clusters and activities aligns with the theme of the budget.
“Emphasis on the entrepreneurial aspect shows the importance of creating a resilient and secure economy to ensure that the people’s income is given priority,” the minister added.
Uggah further remarked that the Gawai Celebration Committee 2024 began planning as early as March 1 this year to ensure that all activities met their objectives.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Transport (Riverine and Marine) and Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2024 organising chairman Dato Henry Harry Jinep stated in his speech that the three organising clusters are the entrepreneurship and local product promotion cluster, the culture, entertainment, and the showcase of local talents cluster, and the local community gastronomy and leisure activities cluster.
The Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2024 takes place over 11 days, from May 16 to 26.
It features 180 stalls, with 45 stalls offering halal products, 45 stalls selling non-halal products, 35 stalls selling handicrafts, 39 stalls selling various goods, 10 stalls selling dry food, and three stalls representing the three largest Dayak ethnic groups: Iban, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu.
The operating hours of the stalls are 10am to 10.30pm.
Also present were MEITD Sarawak Deputy Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Datuk Liwan Lagang; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Datuk Martin Ben; Serembu assemblyman and Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2024 deputy organising chairman Miro Simuh and other guests. — DayakDaily
