By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 5: Many foreigners still misunderstand Sarawak’s indigenous communities, with some mistakenly believing that locals still “live in the jungle,” said Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Seri Tiong King Sing.
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP, said such outdated views highlight the urgent need to promote deeper international understanding and appreciation of Sarawak’s diverse cultural heritage.
“Many of our foreign friends still don’t fully understand indigenous culture, and some even mistakenly believe that our native communities still ‘live in the jungle’.
“That’s why I’ve urged our officers at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture to go all out in promoting and preserving this precious cultural heritage, so more people, especially from around the world, can truly appreciate what makes Sarawak’s culture so unique,” Tiong said in a Facebook post yesterday (June 4).
Sharing the spirit of the Gawai Dayak celebration, Tiong opened his post with a joyful greeting: “Oohaaaaa! Traditional Longhouse Visits – Culture, Warmth, and Food All in One! Selamat Hari Gawai!”
“We set off super, super early today. Ready to greet the residents as soon as they step out! Even at the crack of dawn, the welcome was as warm as ever!
“And of course, we couldn’t start the day without a glass of tuak to ‘warm up the voice’,” he added with humour.
Tiong, who also serves as Dudong assemblyman, said efforts to promote Sarawak’s culture must include community participation.
He praised the growing openness among local communities to embrace homestay initiatives that allow travellers to engage directly with indigenous traditions.
“Even more heartening is the fact that the local community is open to the idea of developing homestays, so that travellers can truly experience the indigenous way of life firsthand.
“We will explore this idea further to determine how best to move it forward in a way that respects tradition while also embracing modern tourism, developing both culture and economy together.”
Following his Gawai Dayak visits to Rumah Raymond Plen and Rumah Saging in Bintulu, Tiong noted that Rumah Raymond, in particular, stands out as a rare and well-preserved example of Bintulu’s cultural legacy.
“I was especially taken by Rumah Raymond, which still retains its rich, traditional architecture. It’s absolutely beautiful and full of character.
“Traditional longhouses like this are becoming increasingly rare in Bintulu, so finding one so well preserved is truly something special,” he said.
He added that visits to such longhouses are not just about enjoying local dishes like Ayam Pansoh, but also offer insight into sacred customs such as Gawai Antu — an ancestral ritual so uncommon that even many locals have never witnessed it.
“The sacred Gawai Antu ceremony, held every few years by the Iban to honour their ancestors, is so rare that even many locals haven’t seen it. It is mysterious, solemn, and incredibly meaningful,” Tiong said. — DayakDaily
