By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 31: The efforts of past Dayak leaders, such as the late Datuk Seri Tra Zehnder, who fought for the recognition of the Gawai Dayak festival and celebrations by the government, should be further enhanced as the identity and unifying spirit of the Dayak people in ‘Bumi Kenyalang’ (Land of the Hornbills).
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg made these remarks in his Gawai message today.
“In terms of culture, Gawai Dayak is a festival held after the rice harvest season to commemorate a successful harvest.
“It is very appropriate to celebrate efforts that have yielded results, not only in terms of the harvest in the rice or paddy fields, as the definition of ‘harvest’ in this modern era should include other areas such as business or job advancement.
“A large profit, job promotion, and a good salary should all be celebrated in the same way that a bountiful rice harvest is,” he said.
Abang Johari went on to say that in the past, the Dayak community’s life revolved around the tradition of cultivating rice for subsistence, rather than for business.
He added that in the current era, the harvest is heavily reliant on the use of technology and machinery, as seen in areas that have already developed rice cultivation and rice production with limited resources.
“For this reason I have asked the Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) Bintulu campus to conduct research in several locations in Gedong and Lubuk Punggur, Simunjan to improve rice production with high quality hybrid seeds.
“According to the study using the new method, one hectare of paddy can produce eight tonnes of rice in one season, as opposed to the old method, which can only produce one tonne.
“Furthermore, this new method allows farmers to plant up to five seasons in a single 24-month period. Research is also being conducted to produce sufficient hybrid seeds for use throughout Sarawak,” the Premier remarked.
Abang Johari continued: “In conjunction with celebrating the Gawai Dayak this year as a Premier who looks after the interests of all races, I hope that the Dayaks will take advantage of this opportunity to further foster unity within the Dayak community.
“Use that unity to shape a glorious future for the Dayaks and other communities in this blessed Bumi Kenyalang.”
The Premier further noted that Sarawak is on the right track towards the goal of becoming a developed and high-income region by 2030 with various initiatives implemented by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
“I urge the Dayak community to break down all mental barriers in order to become a progressive and dynamic people in an era fraught with challenges but ripe with opportunities for progress.
“Once again, my wife, Puan Sri Hajjah Juma’ani, and I wish ‘Selamat Hari Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai Lantang Senang Nguan Menua’ to the entire Dayak community celebrating Gawai,” he said. — DayakDaily
