This Content Is Only For Subscribers
By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, June 7: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved RM1 million for the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak celebration which was held today at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas extended his gratitude to Abang Johari for the latter’s generosity.
“The Premier’s presence here tonight means a lot to the Dayak community.
“This also proves how close the Premier is to the Dayak community,” Uggah said in his speech during the said event at BCCK.
He said that the objective of the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak celebration is for the Dayak community to record its appreciation for the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government as well as the unity government for supporting the community over the past year.
“Much have been done but we still need a lot more support to ensure our community will be on par with other Malaysians,” he added.
Uggah also highlighted the theme for this year’s Gawai celebration was “Segulai Sejalai” (walk hand-in-hand).
“This is the very essence of our commitment to maintain existing unity, goodwill, and harmony among Sarawakians despite our unique diversity of ethnicity, traditions, culture, and beliefs.
“In Sarawak we accept, appreciate, celebrate, and value our differences,” he added.
Uggah also said that there will be two more notable Gawai events to be held, which are the Gawai Dayak Parade (“Nti Daun”) on June 17 which will held at Padang Merdeka here, whereby a total of 80 contingents will don Dayak traditional attire and join the parade; and a Gawai Dayak bazaar which will be held at the Kuching South City Hall (MBKS) compound from June 16 to June 25.
Among others present at the event were Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Abang Johari, Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, and Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian. — DayakDaily
