Latest news with #GawaiDayak
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Gawai Madani celebration at Penrissen Camp honours ATM personnel, families
Mohd Sofi presents contributions to a wheelchair-bound civil servant. – Photo by Galileo Petingi KUCHING (July 19): The Gawai Madani celebration at Penrissen Camp today paid tribute to Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel and their families for their sacrifices in safeguarding national security and sovereignty. First Infantry Division commander Maj-Gen Dato Khairul Anuar Abd Aziz said the event symbolised the Madani government's appreciation for the armed forces and aimed to strengthen patriotic spirit among ATM families and the local community. 'The Gawai Madani celebration is not only an expression of gratitude, but also aims to strengthen patriotic spirit among ATM families and the local community. Through such programmes, we are able to foster closer ties, instill love for the homeland, and nurture core values aligned with the Malaysia Madani aspirations. 'Additionally, this initiative provides an opportunity to honour and celebrate ATM families together with the local community in a spirit of harmony and togetherness. 'Today's strong turnout exemplifies the deep sense of solidarity between the Armed Forces and the people, founded on Madani values of unity, understanding, and social cohesion across Malaysia's diverse society,' he said when officiating at the event. The celebration, part of the 'Jelajah Wira Madani' national initiative, brought together some 300 personnel and was graced by Eastern Field Command commander Lt-Gen Dato Mohd Sofi Md Lepi. It also marked the Gawai Dayak festivities with heartfelt appreciation for the nation's frontline heroes. In Sarawak, the collaboration between the federal and state governments and the ATM reflects a shared commitment to the welfare and morale of security personnel. During the event, Mohd Sofi presented contributions to underprivileged personnel and staff. ATM Gawai Madani Penrissen Camp
Borneo Post
13-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Fadillah urges Sarawakians to unite for state's development
Fadillah (seated, centre), flanked by Hilmy (seated, third left) and Pani, poses with other distinguished guests and event attendees in Kuching. KUCHING (July 13): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has called on Sarawakians to remain united in both spirit and action to ensure the state's long-term development plans succeed. He said while Sarawak has already laid out clear strategies for progress, its success ultimately depends on unity, political stability and the people's support. 'Although we already have strategic policies in place, they will only succeed if we are united in heart, united in action, and united in ensuring political stability. Everything else will follow naturally,' he said when speaking at the 'Majlis Perdana Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Peringkat Parlimen Petra Jaya 2025,' Dewan SDNU Siol Kandis here last night. Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) and Petra Jaya MP, said Sarawak is now regarded as one of the most advanced states in Malaysia in several key sectors. 'When it comes to hydrogen, we are ahead. Green ammonia — we're ahead. In renewable energy, we're ahead. In the digital economy, we're ahead. We are the only state with our own e-wallet platform, Sarawak Pay (now SPay Global); no other state has that. 'And when it comes to welfare assistance, there's no need to even mention it — we've done it. God willing, starting next year, tertiary education will be free for Sarawakians,' he said. He attributed Sarawak's achievements to the commitment of its leadership and expressed hope that the state's progress would inspire other Malaysians, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia, to strive towards similar success. Fadillah also shared that Sarawak continues to attract strong interest from foreign investors, thanks to its clear policies, business-friendly government, and the quality of its people. Regarding the event, Fadillah said it served to celebrate Sarawak's rich cultural diversity, with a special focus on Dayak traditions in conjunction with the closing of the Gawai Dayak celebration organised by the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Siol Branch. He also asked representatives from the union to prepare the design and cost estimates for the installation of air-conditioning at Dewan SDNU Siol Kandis, as well as for the construction of a covered futsal court. The proposals are to be discussed with the Petra Jaya Parliamentary Service Centre before being presented next year for funding consideration. Also present were Datuk Bandar of Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Datuk Hilmy Othman, SDNU Siol Branch chairman Pani Igoh and other distinguished guests.
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Festival serving as a unifying factor
The Gawai Dayak parade is now a feature of this celebration in Sarawak. I HAVE often been asked by a number of young people in the Iban community about the origin of the Gawai Dayak. Most of the time, I oblige them – relating as best I can by repeating what I have heard from verbal or read from written sources, or from my own memory. It is quite possible that there is more than one version. Today's column is based partly on information obtained during conversation, some 30 years ago, with the late Dato Sri Tra Zehnder, the first Iban woman to be appointed as a state legislator. Another source was Michael Buma, once a teacher at the Anglican Mission School in Quop. Tra expressed her inner thoughts to me thus: 'Maya Hari Raya kitai ngabang ngagai kaban kitai Melayu; maya Taun Baru China kitai ngabang ngagai kaban kitai China. Tang sida tu enda ngabang ngagai kitai, laban kitai Dayak nadai Ari Besai (We visit our Malay friends during the Hari Raya, and our Chinese friends during their New Year, but they do not visit us because we, the Dayaks, have no special day to celebrate during which the Malays and the Chinese can visit us in return).' Tra was referring to the situation in the context of the Dayaks who were residing and working in Kuching. Daughter of Sarawak Constabulary Sub-Insp Inting Jemat, she had been brought up in a cross- cultural setting in Kuching for most of her life that her world view was broad and pragmatic. In fact, for some time during the colonial period (1958-1960), the Dayak (settlers and/or residents of Kuching, mostly government servants and Christians), had been toying with the idea of another festivity that would be more traditional or cultural than religious and pious. This group, consisting of teachers and those whom we would call social activists, were more articulate and vocal in their views. Among them were Michael Buma, Ah Guan, Barbara Bay Mendu, Robert Jitam, Edward Jerah and Austin Jaga. Although Tra belonged to the community dominated by the police personnel and families, she managed to reach out to and maintain a good rapport with the ordinary members of the Dayak community in Kuching. She established a close contact with people like Malacca- trained nurse Barbara Bay (Mendu Bayang), Mrs Ang, Madam Tuyah and her daughter Susie Kitto. They formed the Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS), the women's wing of the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), for the purpose of providing educational advice to Dayak women in Kuching. She also established a good relationship with Michael Buma and the political activists. However, these 'radicals' had a vision of their own as to how Dayaks of various groups could coalesce and constitute a force in society in Sarawak. Michael Buma, leading the group, moved one step further by proposing that the government of Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan (1963) should declare a day in each year as 'The Dayak Day'. While Tra endorsed Michael Buma's proposal, she had a problem with other members of the Council Negri who thought that she was being too political. Michael Buma, watching on the sidelines, made a bold move in defiance of the attitude of those legislators. He organised a tea party at his house in Siol Kandis, Kuching, and invited people of the same mind, 'Segulai Sejalai'. They were launching the celebration called the 'Dayak Day'. Yes, that day – June 1, 1964! I was not there. I was told by Daniel Ragam, who was present, that the atmosphere was politically electrified. Apparently, the Police Special Branch had sent a couple of boys to Michael Buma's house 'just for a drink' and, obviously, to keep an official eye on things. The significance of this Special Branch intrusion intrigued me as I was listening to Tra. Peter Ratcliffe, the director of Radio Sarawak, hinted to me that the government was going to declare June 1 as a public holiday to dilute the influence of the Dayak activists, using the radio to promote the concept of celebrating a successful harvest instead of something radical. The choice of the name 'Gawai Dayak' was deliberate, a strategy to pre-empt the influence of the activists. Kalong's government, fearing that the Dayak sentiment would develop into a political issue, used Radio Sarawak to promote the 'Harvest Festival' as the Gawai Dayak. That was it! The programme producers at Radio Sarawak even took the initiative to introduce a format for the celebration. For instance, on May 31, the eve of Gawai Dayak, each Dayak family should celebrate the occasion with a dinner at home – similar to the customary dinner among the Chinese on the eve of their New Year. A new festival was thus created for the Dayak community because the 'townies' wanted to have their own version of festival. The Christians among the townies were not in favour of anything pagan like, for instance, a 'miring' (traditional ritual to seek blessings). In the 1980s, the Gawai Dayak was organised as a state function. As a political device, it suits the politicians in power. They take advantage of the big gathering during which to be seen together with the 'common people' – 'Segulai Sejalai', you see! The 'Ngiling Tikai / Ngiling Bidai' (symbolic rolling-up of the mat, to mark the end of festivities) was not part of the Gawai as far as I could remember. However, it has become an accepted part of the proceedings by now. Anyway, who would pick up a quarrel over something that brings people together, even for a few hours, under one roof in the name of the slogan 'Segulai Sejalai'? * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper. culture Dayak Gawai Iban sarawak
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Miri hotel supports five NGOs under annual charity fund
Stanley (fourth left) and Pui, on his right, join the representatives from the NGOs in a photo-call at the hotel. MIRI (July 5): Five local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) received financial contributions from Dynasty Hotel Miri yesterday as part of the latter's annual charity fund initiative. This year's beneficiaries are the Miri Red Crescent (MRC) Dialysis Centre, Pusat Morsjaya Community-based Rehabilitation Centre (PPDK), Association of Parents with Special Children (Pibakis) Miri, Miri Home for the Aged under the Miri Chinese Charitable Trust Board (MCCTB), and the Malaysian Diabetes Association Miri. In a statement, Dynasty Hotel said the selected NGOs were chosen based on their ongoing work with marginalised groups in the city. 'Each organisation plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable groups in Miri,' it said. Apart from supporting local NGOs, the charity fund also contributed to the hotel's festive distribution programmes, meant to provide essential items and festive goods to families during Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Gawai Dayak celebrations. 'Additionally, the fund supports smaller-scale efforts throughout the year aimed at assisting low-income households in the community. 'The contributions are made under the Dynasty Hotel Charity Fund, which is sustained through various fundraising activities, including the upcoming 21st Dynasty Hotel Charity Fund Half-Marathon,' said the hotel in a statement. Registration for the half marathon is open until this Sept 8, with early bird's rates available until July 20. The event features for 21km, 10km and 4km categories. Those interested may obtain the physical forms at the hotel lobby, or they may choose to register online via Organising chairman Stanley Gena and vice-organising chairperson Christine Pui were present at the handover ceremony. annual charity fund initiative Dynasty Hotel Miri lead
Borneo Post
01-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Premier: Ngiling Bidai brings Sarawak's multiracial communities closer
Rodiyah (fifth left), Mohd Naroden (fourth left), Awla (sixth left) and others roll up the mat to mark the closing of the Gawai Dayak celebration. KUCHING (July 1): 'Ngiling Bidai', a ceremony to mark the closing of the Gawai Dayak celebration, serves as an important platform to strengthen the unity of Sarawak's multiracial communities, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The Premier pointed out that at the same time, the ceremony—steeped in tradition—also enhances efforts to preserve the Dayak culture and ethnic heritage in Sarawak. 'This ceremony is not just a closing ceremony for Gawai Dayak as it is also a symbol of appreciation for the harvest, a spirit of kinship, and the strength of unity among the multi-racial communities in Sarawak,' he said in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit report. The text of Abang Johari's speech was delivered by Batang Sadong MP Rodiyah Sapiee at the closing ceremony of the Gedong District Gawai Dayak celebration 2025, held here on Sunday. In his speech, the Premier said the involvement of 55 villages under Gedong District in the celebration showed the community's high level of cooperation and commitment in making the event a success. He also called on all parties to continue fostering the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation for the development of a prosperous and peaceful state. During the ceremony, guests also participated in prayers to pay respect for Abang Johari's wife, the late Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, who passed away on June 23. Among those present were event organising chairman Dato Sri Mohd Naroden Majais, Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris, and Samarahan Resident Mohd Irwan Bahari Bujang. Abang Johari Tun Openg community Gawai Dayak multiracial Ngiling Bidai
