KUCHING, March 24: Sarawak can expect a joyous State-level Gawai Dayak celebration that will showcase the Dayak community’s age old traditions and culture through three main events, namely a Gawai Bazaar, Gawai Dayak Parade and a Gala Dinner.
According to a news report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai emphasised that the Gawai Dayak Festival 2023 will be one of the events in Sarawak’s 60th independence anniversary within Malaysia celebration this year.
“The Gawai Bazaar will return from May 16 to 25 at the compound of the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) community hall. It is expected to be officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
“Next will be the Gawai Dayak Parade or Niti Daun on June 17 but the location has yet to be decided. This parade will involve various ethnic associations from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Sarawak,” he said after chairing the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak Celebration 2023 working committee meeting today.
As for the Gala Dinner to be held on June 24 at Imperial Hotel, John Sikie said that Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib as well as Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang have been invited as the guests-of-honour.
For the organisation of this year celebration, Uggah, Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn and Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala are the advisors.
Also present at the meeting were Ministry of Transport permanent secretary Dato Ir Alice Jawan Empaling, Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development permanent secretary cum the celebration working committee secretary Sirai Daha, and Greater Kuching Development Coordination Agency (GKCDA) special administrative officer Datu Ik Pahon Joyik. — DayakDaily
