Latest news with #GawaiDayak2025
Borneo Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Kpg Annah Rais to be transformed into Bidayuh cultural heritage village after RM6.5 mln allocation
Jerip delivers his speech during the event. — Ukas photo PADAWAN (June 30): Kampung Annah Rais is set to be transformed into a Bidayuh cultural heritage village following a RM6.5 million allocation by the Sarawak government through the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA). According to Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, the funds would be used to improve basic tourism infrastructure, including visitor trails, handicraft spaces, cultural information centres and community training in tourism management. The Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister added this initiative was part of the state's broader rural development strategy focusing on tourism, culture and agriculture. 'Kampung Annah Rais has unique historical, cultural and Bidayuh heritage values. Efforts to upgrade tourism facilities here would not only bring economic benefits to the local community but also help promote our cultural heritage to the outside world,' he said at the Petronas Gawai 2025 Driving Life Programme held at the village on Saturday, according to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report. Located approximately 48 kilometres from Kuching, Kampung Annah Rais is renowned for its traditional Bidayuh longhouses, hot springs, and the continued practice of unique cultural customs. At the same event, 200 underprivileged families from across the Padawan Subdistrict received food basket donations in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak 2025 celebration. The welfare programme was organised by Yayasan Petronas in collaboration with the Kuching Division Resident Office and the Padawan Subdistrict Office. Petronas Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu said a total of 585 families statewide have benefited from the programme this year. Also present were Kuching Division Resident Dayang Joanita Azizah Abang Morshidi, Padawan Subdistrict administrative officer Julius Scott Sapong and Annah Rais village chief Joda Mamung.
Borneo Post
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Borneo Post
Temporary road closures in Kuching city centre for Gawai Dayak 2025 Parade this weekend
A handout map shows the affected roads designated for closure during the parade and rehearsal. KUCHING (June 18): Several roads in the city will be temporarily closed to facilitate both the rehearsal and main event of the Gawai Dayak 2025 parade, said Kuching District Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu. In a statement today, Alexson said the road closures will take place in two phases: from 8am to 12pm on Friday (June 20) for the parade rehearsal, and from 8am to 6pm on Saturday (June 21) for the main event. The parade will proceed from the Tun Jugah building at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman to the Square Tower at the Kuching Waterfront, via Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Main Bazaar. Roads affected include Jalan Abell, the traffic light intersection near Jalan Petanak, Jalan Padungan, Jalan Bukit Mata, Jalan Carpenter, Jalan Wawasan / Lebuh Wayang, Jalan Gambier, and Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang. Handout map shows the locations for public car parks. 'The public is advised not to park their vehicles along affected roads and to plan alternative routes in advance to avoid traffic congestion,' Alexson said. For enquiries, the public may contact the Kuching District Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division at 082-259900. Alexson Naga Gawai Dayak 2025 parade Kuching police road closures
Borneo Post
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Beluru town comes alive as 2,500 people converge for Gawai Dayak open house
Photo shows a traditional 'miring' ceremony during the open house. MIRI (June 11): Over 2,500 people from all walks of life came to Beluru town last weekend for the Gawai Dayak 2025 open house hosted by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil. Held at the Beluru Community Hall from 10am-3pm, the open house saw long lines of visitors who hailed from Bakong, Tinjar, Long Lama, Marudi, Bekenu, Miri and even Limbang. Among them were Miri Resident Galong Luang, Beluru district officer Charles Aloysius Lisu, community leaders from the Iban, Chinese, Malay and Orang Ulu communities, and others. Penguang's family, including his four grandchildren who flew in from Kuching, were present to welcome the guests. Penguang (fourth left) and Monica (third left) pictured during the open house. The rich cultural heritage of the Iban community was on full display during the open house, with traditional Iban 'miring' and 'bebiau' ceremonies, and 'tuak in a 'jalong' (bamboo) container served to guests. During the event, 'ngajat' and 'kuntau' performances were exhibited while children also performed the 'gendang pampat' and 'poco-poco'. Further enlivening the event were shows by Iban guest singers. Penguang's wife Datin Monica Ukong Jaya also took to the floor, performing a 'ngajat' dance, to the crowd's delight. community Gawai Dayak lead open house Penguang Manggil
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Marudi rep, wife grace Gawai open house do in Beluru
Penguang (seated on gong) and Monica on his right join in the miring ceremony upon arriving for the open house celebration. MIRI (June 8): More than 2,000 people turned up at the Beluru community hall in Bakong on Saturday for the Gawai Dayak 2025 open house celebration hosted by the Marudi Service Centre. The event was graced by Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government and Marudi assemblyman Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, who was accompanied by wife Datin Monica Ukong Jaya. The programme kicked off with a thanksgiving prayer, followed by a lunch reception and cultural performances including gendang pampat, kuntau, traditional dances, and performances by local artistes. The event served as a platform to strengthen ties among the various ethnic groups in the spirit of Gawai Dayak. Among those present were Miri Division Resident Galong Luang, Beluru district officer Charles Aloysius Lisu, Pemanca Enggah Muga, Pemanca Wong Kiong Ching, and local councillors. community Gawai Dayak marudi open house Penguang Manggil
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Youth trio strive to keep the Orang Ulu's sape legacy alive
KUCHING: At the entrance of the Gawai Dayak 2025 open house, the delicate, resonant notes of the sape, a traditional lute-like string instrument of the Orang Ulu people, floated through the air. Yet it wasn't veteran hands behind the strings. It was three young musicians, determined to carry their ancestral culture into the future. Dressed in attire inspired by their Indigenous roots, the trio, members of the Kuching-based Anak Seni Sape Kuching Association (PUSAK), drew a steady crowd with their spirited performance of Det Diet Tapong Kitan, a traditional piece often played to welcome guests and accompany warrior dances such as Datun Julud or Ajai. 'I started learning the sape at 15 after being inspired by my cousin,' said Dexter Wong Kian Hao, 22, of Kayan-Chinese heritage. 'This song is deeply rooted in our culture. We don't want it to fade away.' For Martinus Njok Sebi, 23, of Kenyah-Iban descent, the sape is more than just music, it's identity. Having joined PUSAK in 2021, Martinus has performed regularly at cultural events across Sarawak. Now in his final year at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, he hopes others his age will continue the tradition. 'As a sape player, I want to see more young people learning and passing on this tradition,' he said. The group's youngest member, 19-year-old Mohd Ikhmal Hakim from Belaga, began playing at age 10, having discovered it through social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Of mixed Malay, Iban and Sekapan heritage, Ikhmal now studies Early Childhood Education and shares his sape playing on TikTok to help spark wider interest. 'Social media has made it easier for people to discover the sape. I see more and more young people getting interested,' he said. The Gawai Dayak Open House, hosted by Orang Ulu leaders, drew around 3,000 visitors from across Sarawak's diverse communities. The event, which ran from 9 am to 2 pm, featured traditional performances and high-profile guests, including Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi. Also in attendance were the Premier of Sarawak Tan Sri Dr Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang, alongside members of the federal and state cabinets.
