Gawai Dayak this year also a celebration of diversity, unity

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Sharifah Hasidah, Fatimah, Fadillah, Abang Johari and wife Datin Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang as well as Fazzrudin are among the distinguished guests at Gawai Open House of Uggah (fifth from right) and Doreen (fourth from right).

Sharifah Hasidah, Fatimah, Fadillah, Abang Johari and wife Datin Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang as well as Fazzrudin are among the distinguished guests at Gawai Open House of Uggah (fifth from right) and Doreen (fourth from right).

KUCHING: This year’s Gawai Dayak festival is not just to celebrate a good paddy harvest. It was also to celebrate unity in diversity, especially after the BN’s resounding victory in the May 7 state election.

The first day of the celebration on Wednesday was filled with merriment as people from diverse backgrounds share the joy of Gawai together.  The Gawai open house of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and his wife, Datin Amar Doreen Lee Mei Hua, at their residence in BDC was very well attended.

Visitors were greeted with ‘ngajat’ dances and the traditional ‘sape’ music at the entrance before being treated to a wide array of local cuisines and delicacies.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said such a confluence of people from all backgrounds showed how cohesive and tightly knit the communities were in the state.

He said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, would continue to work hard to safeguard the state’s harmony and peace.

“I wish all Dayaks a ‘Selamat Hari Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai Lantang Senang’ in years to come,” said Abang Johari.

Meanwhile, Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof, who was also at Uggah’s open house, called on the people to preserve the culture of visiting one another during festive celebrations to enhance unity and harmony.

“That is strength that allows us to progress together,” he said, and wished all Dayaks a Happy Gawai.

Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said this year’s Gawai celebration was more meaningful following the BN’s landslide victory in the state polls.  “This is the best time to be with the people and to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for their support. Let’s us be jovial and strive forward together,” she said.  Rohani also made a fresh appeal to the people to always be compassionate towards the poor and needy in the society.  “In this festive season, let us give more generously and be more considerate towards the less unfortunate.”

Other distinguished guests at Uggah’s house were Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Women, Welfare and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, Assistant Early Childhood Education and Family Development Minister Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting.

Dr Sim (seated third from left), his wife, Datin Enn Ong, and others at Uggah’s open house. Uggah is on Dr Sim’s right, while Ting is on Enn Ong’s left.

Dr Sim (seated third from left), his wife, Datin Enn Ong, and others at Uggah’s open house. Uggah is on Dr Sim’s right, while Ting is on Enn Ong’s left.

Uggah (left) shares a joke with Dr Sim.

Uggah (left) shares a joke with Dr Sim.

(From left) Morshidi, Wong, Uggah, Doreen, and Wong’s wife, Datin Sri Pauline Leong, in a group photo.

(From left) Morshidi, Wong, Uggah, Doreen, and Wong’s wife, Datin Sri Pauline Leong, in a group photo.