SIBU, May 22: After a long wait, the Dayak community here will have a permanent Dayak food venue called Sibu Dayak Food Court (SDFC).
“Taman Selera Harmoni houses Muslim hawkers. Medan Selera Muhibah has a Chinese-majority of traders even though there is a mix of races, as well as Medan Selera Jaya Li Hua which houses a mix of races.
“But this SDFC is special for the Dayaks only. We should be proud that finally our requests have been agreed upon which has seen us have our own place,” said Councilor Augustine Merikan at the closing of Sibu Dayak Gawai Bazaar (SGDB) 2023 at Taman Tasik Permai on Saturday night (May 20).
Augustine who is deputy chairman of Sibu Municipal Council’s (SMC) Standing Committee for Markets and Petty Traders disclosed that the council had approved a sum of RM600,000 to convert Tasik Permai Food Court to SDFC.
“At the recent full council meeting, I and the Dayak council members submitted a proposal to change Taman Tasik Permai Food Court to SDFC. The council agreed and then approved an allocation of RM600,000 for our use to make appropriate modifications for SDFC,” he said.
Augustine who is also the chairman of the SGDB 2023 organising committee believed that SDFC will increase hawkers’ income and the local community’s economic wellbeing.
“I hope the local Dayak community will give their support so that we can implement the matter as quickly as possible,” he added.
The closing of SGDB 2023 was officiated at by Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Sibu chairman Mikem Longiok.
The 10-day SGDB 2023 was held from May 11 to 20. It was organised by Sarawak Iban Artists Association (Parisa) in collaboration with SMC.
A total of 29 stalls selling food, drinks and handicraft products participated in the bazaar. — DayakDaily
