KUCHING: A total of 3,000 people will participate in the Niti Daun Parade in conjunction with the Sarawak 60 Years of Independence and Gawai Dayak 2023 on Saturday (June 17).
There will be 91 contingents taking part in the parade including associations from the Dayak communities, cultural groups as well as the Malaysia Armed Forces Veterans and “Bujang Berani” Dayak.
Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai said the Niti Daun will feature the diversity and uniqueness of Sarawak’s Dayak culture.
“Besides that, this parade is also seen able to attract the attention of foreign tourists with cultural performances and traditional attire of the Dayak community in Sarawak.
“At the same time, the parade will also be an attraction for local and international tourists who happened to be in Kuching that day.
“There will also be three cultural performances by the Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Iban groups during the parade for the participants and tourists to watch,” said Sikie in a media conference at Baitulmakmur Building 1, here this morning.
Sikie also said there will be another two contingents from outside Sarawak participating in the parade, which is the Dusun community from Sabah.
“For the first time, the parade will also feature a competition between contingents to win cash prize of RM10,000.
“This is during the parade where they will be judged by their traditional clothes, parade performances and other criteria,” he said.
Before this, the Niti Daun parade was held for the first time in Kuching in 1993, then held in 2018 and this event too continued in several divisions and districts in Sarawak until today.
The Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to be present together with the chairman of the Main Committee of the Gawai Dayak 2023 Celebration Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Deputy Premier.
On June 17, the parades will start at 2.15 pm at Tun Jugah building and the parade will end along the 1.2km of Kuching Waterfront near Darul Hana Bridge.
As a precautionary measure, he advised participants to stay hydrated during the hot weather and bring water bottles and get ready umbrellas in case it rains.
“If you are not feeling well on that day, I advise that you do not participate in the parade. Also, strictly adhere to the timeline of the event,” he said.
