KUCHING: The Gawai Dayak message by state PKR chairman Baru Bian highlights the spirit of ‘gotong-royong’ (work party) — or ‘ngumum’ in the context of the Lun Bawang.
According to him, the Lun Bawangs’ concept of working together is about every ‘bilek’ (family unit) in any village being able to complete their respective farming activities in time, so that nobody is burdened to finish the work on their own.
“This concept also inculcates in everybody the spirit of working together and supporting one another when in need, so that everyone is happy and can expect good harvest at the end of the farming period.
“Thanks to ‘ngumum’, no one has to beg for food and no one is rendered to being needy and as such,the villagers can look forward to ‘bergawai’ (celebrating a good harvest),” he said.
Baru, who is Ba Kelalan assemblyman, said while ‘ngumum’ was about looking out for and helping each other, what was happening in this country revealed that those in position of authority were ‘looking out for themselves first’, with the welfare of the rest becoming secondary.
“This Gawai Dayak, in the midst of these events, there appears to be no good reason for us to celebrate in Sarawak.
“Yet, I want to be hopeful. In the concept of ‘ngumum’, it is the people’s willingness and ability to work together that makes the difference and leads to the success of the villagers.
“So it is in the country, where the power to bring about a change in the government, is in the people’s will and desire.”
In addition, Baru said the result of the recent state election gave everyone much food for thought.
“Are we going to allow the injustice and selfishness of the present regime to continue? Or are we willing to rise together in the spirit of ‘ngumum’ in the 14th parliamentary election to bring about a change?
“Sarawak is rich and vast — her wealth should be harvested and enjoyed by all Sarawakians on a more equal footing. It is up to the people to come together to make this happen,” he stressed.