By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 1: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas says those questioning why politicians are seen donating cattle for Hari Raya Aidiladha (korban) celebrations but not pigs ahead of Gawai Dayak are unaware of assistance already being provided on the ground.
Responding to social media comments comparing korban cattle donations with support for Dayak communities, Uggah revealed that he had distributed between 200 and 300 pigs for rearing in areas under his care.
“There was an issue. They asked why I did not contribute pigs. But I told them I am giving pigs in my area itself. I have given almost 200 to 300 pigs for them to rear.
“But we don’t do ‘korban’ like the Muslims. So those people don’t really know what’s going on the ground,” he told reporters during his Gawai Dayak open house at the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Complex here today.
The issue surfaced online following reports of Uggah’s contribution of 16 cattle for the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations, with some Facebook users questioning whether similar assistance was being extended to Dayak communities ahead of Gawai.
One user commented: “Pmx bagi 260 ekor lembu korban… Gawai ni Uggah boleh bagi tak 260 ekor babi? Dah bertaun kot jadi timbalan..” (The Prime Minister gave 260 cattle for korban… for Gawai, can Uggah give 260 pigs? He has been Deputy Premier for years already.)
Another user, reacting to news of Uggah’s korban contribution, asked whether similar assistance in the form of pigs could be provided for Gawai, drawing comparisons with livestock donations for Aidiladha celebrations.
Meanwhile, other users raised broader comparisons between festive contributions, noting that cattle and goats are commonly donated during Aidiladha, while equivalent livestock assistance for Gawai is less frequently observed. — DayakDaily
