BETONG: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas is looking into plans to organise a seminar dedicated to showcasing the traditional costumes of the Dayak community.
Recognising the value of these costumes, Uggah intends to explore methods of mass production to meet both local and overseas demand.
“Our aim is to produce these costumes on a larger scale while preserving their originality and quality. This presents a significant business opportunity for our weavers, designers, and others involved,” Uggah said.
Currently, the limited production volume is unable to keep up with the high demand for costumes such as the ‘Pua Kumbu,’ a woven traditional cloth of the Ibans, making it challenging for consumers to find and purchase them.
Uggah said this when officiating at the launch of the Betong division-level Gawai Dayak parade yesterday (June 10). He also highlighted the potential of utilising the internet as a platform to reach wider markets for marketing purposes.
“Let us, as Dayaks, rise to the challenge of promoting our cultural heritage and identity by creating advanced, beautiful, and sophisticated costume pieces,” Uggah encouraged.
In addition to this initiative, Uggah advised the Dayak community to remain united and supportive of one another, using the phrase ‘Segulai Sejalai,’ in order to maximise their benefits from further development and progress.
During the parade, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development and Layar assemblyman Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu acknowledged the worth of the traditional costumes and accessories worn by the approximately 2,000 participants from 36 contingents, estimating their value at around RM1 million.
The parade, covering a distance of 1.8km, was organised by the Betong Resident’s Office.
