PADAWAN: The Bidayuh Mystique Festival 2022 (BMF 2022) has come to an end and collected about RM150,000 worth of sales.
Deputy Minister of Plantation Industry and Commodities Datuk Willie Mongin said this at the closing ceremony of the Bidayuh Mystique Festival at St Paul Bunuk Parish Hall, today.
He said that the collection involved the collection from the Segu Bunuk Penrissen Association (PSBP) and the sales of food and drinks from stall traders.
Meanwhile, the number of visitors over the three days reached 6,000 visitors, exceeding the previously set target of 5,000 visitors.
“For lucky draw ticket sales, we managed to reach 6,000 sales. I would like to thank everyone for giving strong support to this programme that was held for the first time by PSBP.
“I believe that next year we will make it grander and big. It is hoped that you will give your full support so that we can showcase the cuisine, culture and arts of our Bidayuh people,” he said.
In the meantime, he called on the Bidayuh ethnic group to continue promoting their culture and customs.
“Even if there are customs that are ‘ditelan zaman’ (lost due to modernity) this is the time when we preserve and bring back our customs,” he said.
In the same ceremony, Willie who is the Member of Parliament for Puncak Borneo and patron of PSBP, also presented prizes to the winners of the traditional Bidayuh cooking competition.
A total of seven pairs of chefs competed in the culinary contest and the lineup of judges comprised Chef Binyas Seum as the chief judge, alongside Jimas Jihel and Henry Betah as co-judges.
D’Nyam of Kampung Semedang emerged as the winner and walked away with a cash prize of RM500, a hamper and a certificate.
Teresa Julis Mejad took the second place while Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Women Branch was placed third.
They respectively took home cash prizes worth RM300 and RM200, hamper and certificate.
The other four pairs were also given consolation prizes worth RM100, a hamper and a certificate.
