By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, June 1: The Orang Ulu community took the spotlight as proud hosts of this year’s Majlis Rumah Terbuka Hari Gawai 2025, bringing Sarawak’s diverse cultures together in a vibrant celebration of unity and heritage at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
More than 5,000 people turned up to join in the festivity, which was graced by Sarawak Head of State (TYT), Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, along with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.
Their arrival was warmly welcomed by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who also led the organising committee for this year’s Gawai celebration.
The open house was officially launched with the symbolic Gawai toast led by Wan Junaidi, marking the start of a cultural showcase that celebrated not only Dayak heritage but Sarawak’s spirit of unity.
“This is an opportunity for us to showcase Dayak culture, traditions, and practices. It is also a chance for us to bring together people of all races,” said Uggah during a doorstop interview with reporters.
“We are very happy that TYT and the Premier are here with us today, along with leaders and people from various racial and cultural backgrounds.
“This is the true picture of Sarawak, and we are proud to host this event to show the rest of Malaysia that we enjoy strong racial harmony. Our culture adds to the rich and colourful fabric of Malaysian society,” he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, shared that this year’s Gawai is hosted by the Orang Ulu community.
“This year, it is our turn—the Orang Ulu—to host the Gawai celebration alongside the other major Dayak groups like the Iban and Bidayuh.
“The celebration includes four main events, starting with the Gawai Dayak Bazaar from May 15 to 25 at MJC, and today’s Gawai Dayak Open House,” he said.
He added that the highlight will be the Gawai Dayak Parade on June 21, which will feature 90 cultural groups marching from the Tun Jugah building to the Kuching Waterfront, with the Premier of Sarawak as the guest of honour.
The State-level Gawai Dayak Dinner will be held at BCCK on June 22, and is expected to be attended by TYT and his wife, the Premier of Sarawak, as well as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The event was attended by various dignitaries and officials, including Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; federal and state ministers; senior civil servants; and community leaders. — DayakDaily
