By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 22: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has shared how he proudly wore Iban traditional attire during a meeting with the United States oil company ConocoPhillips’ chairman and chief executive officer, Ryan Lance, in Kuala Lumpur last week, saying it was a meaningful way to honour and promote Malaysia’s cultural richness on the world stage.
Delivering his speech at the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak Celebration 2025 gala dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) this evening, Anwar recalled how the meeting coincided with the Ministry of Works’ Gawai celebration hosted by Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
“That same day, (Ryan Lance) was in town to attend the Energy Asia Conference by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS). He came to my office. But before that, I attended the Gawai celebration organised by Alexander Nanta’s ministry,” he said.
Anwar said he chose to remain in his Iban attire when he met the foreign leader, who was visibly surprised.
“Of course, he was looking at me like, ‘what funny tribal chief is this?’ but I told him, ‘I take great pride in informing you that I’ve just come from a function organised by my colleague to celebrate the Gawai festival.
“So I shared with him about Sarawak—the beauty and the culture,” he added.
Anwar added that such moments offer powerful opportunities to showcase Malaysia’s diversity to international figures.
“ConocoPhillips is one of the world’s biggest energy companies. He is also a close associate of the United States president Donald Trump.
“And I took it upon myself to speak proudly, as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, about a cultural festival called Gawai Dayak,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister praised the Gawai celebration in Kuala Lumpur for its inclusive spirit, highlighting how people of all backgrounds—including Malays, Chinese and Indians—joined in appreciating the Dayak cultural tradition.
“Unlike in Sarawak, where Gawai is part of everyday identity, in Kuala Lumpur it became a bridge for greater understanding. Alexander Nanta can testify to how lively and united the crowd was,” he said.
He also thanked the Dayak community, especially the Orang Ulu who took the lead in this year’s Sarawak-level celebration, and reminded everyone of the importance of preserving peace and harmony.
“Alhamdulillah we are in a great country and a State of Sarawak. We’ll have to work together to ensure there is peace and security in this country. Never underestimate the potential problems if you are disunited,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
