KUCHING, June 16: Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Women are infuriated and disgusted by the “dirty dancing” at a recent Gawai Dayak dinner in Sibu which they said tarnished Dayak culture and traditions, as well as degraded the dignity of women by making them into entertainment and sexual objects.
Their statement came following the widespread circulation on social media of a video clip of skimpily dressed young women performing provocative dance moves on stage during the dinner function.
Strongly condemning the performance, Sarawak PKR Women branch leaders throughout the State have demanded for a stop to any performance that objectifies and sexualises girls and women, especially in festive celebration functions.
“We are shocked by the action of the organiser that was insensitive to the culture and tradition of the Dayak community, especially in Sarawak.
“This is an insult and disrespect not only for the Dayak community but also of women. It has degraded the dignity of women in making them into a sexual object and an entertainment object for men.
“The organiser should be ashamed and should have immediately stopped the sexy dance performance, especially when celebrating a traditional festival of the largest ethnic group in this State,” the group said in a statement today.
Sarawak PKR Women pointed out that the objectification and sexualisation of girls and women will invite negative attraction and lead to violence against women and girls.
“Girls should be presented with courtesy and decency in line with Malaysian culture,” it added.
Sarawak PKR Women leaders thus urged the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government to take action to safeguard the dignity of women and that all event organisers be sensitive to the cultures of all communities in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
