KUCHING: The Gawai Dayak festival is a symbol of unity and harmony in Sarawak, says Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah.
It serves as a platform for the people of Sarawak to showcase their strong unity, he said.
“We can see in Sarawak that during festival celebrations, all communities participate by visiting each other’s open houses,” said Sagan who is also advisor to the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA).
“Additionally, non-Dayak leaders in Sarawak will also attend the Gawai Dayak Open House at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on June 1.
“For Sarawak, this is a common practice, and it shows that we do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, or religion because we can celebrate any type of festival together,” he said.
He was being interviewed on the ‘Juh Randau’ programme by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) at the UKAS Studio on Wednesday (May 29).
Also present was the UKAS Director Samuel Simon.
Sagah, who is the chairman of the 2024 state-level Gawai Dayak Celebration acknowledged facing several challenges in successfully organising the festival.
Among these challenges, he asserted, is gathering a large number of participants for the various festival programmes.
“But I have received encouraging support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), volunteers, ministries, government departments, and local authorities to continue the celebration programmes,” he said.
The Bidayuh community is hosting this year’s Gawai Dayak Festival celebration.
There are five main events, starting with the Gawai Dayak Bazaar from May 16 to 26.
The celebration will conclude with the Gawai Gala Dinner at BCCK on June 22, expected to be attended by the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
