Dennis (centre), Rev Dr Justin (fifth left), Gerawat (sixth left) and Nawan (ninth left) with the men and women who translated the New Testament into Kayan language, as well as members of the platinum jubilee celebration working committee.
MIRI: The working committee of the ‘70th Platinum Jubilee Celebration of Kayan Faith in Jesus’ raised a total of RM144,440 on Saturday night, which would go towards organising the jubilee celebration in Long Atip this June 5 to 7.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau officiated at the opening ceremony of the fundraising dinner at the Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club, which hosted over 1,000 guests
He represented Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the event where Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Sarawak president Rev Datuk Dr Justin Wan and platinum jubilee celebration organising chairman of Nawan Luhat also attended.
In his address, Dennis said the platinum jubilee celebration scheduled for June would be an especially meaningful event for the Kayans, as it would signify their journey of faith.
“The celebration is not only a celebration of faith, but it is also to celebrate the sacrifice of our leaders in the olden days who led us to Jesus.
“Our religion has not only developed us in terms of faith, but it has also released us from our old customs or beliefs that shackled us and limited our doings,” he said.
Before putting their faith in Jesus, Dennis said the Kayan communitys in the olden days were bound by old beliefs that limited them in their daily lives, including in carrying out their farming activities.
“Sometimes, when they heard certain sounds or saw certain things, they thought that these were signs that they should not go to their farms. The fact was that their crops had already ripen and were waiting to be harvested; yet they were not there to collect them – resulting in some crops to go bad,” he said.
Upon embracing Christianity, he added, the Kayans had developed further and are now able to enjoy the many comforts in life.
“Therefore, this coming jubilee celebration will also be a thanksgiving to God, for all the good things that He has given us,” he said, urging all Christians from the Kayan community to join the celebration.
Rev Dr Justin, who spoke earlier, disclosed that the jubilee celebration in Long Atip would be the third – the first was held at Long Tebangan in 2007 and the second at Uma Juman in Belaga in 2013.
“This celebration will not only be a spiritual event, but it will also be a social and cultural celebration for the Kayans,” he said.
From the total amount raised, RM30,000 was pledged by Uggah, RM30,000 from Assistant Minister for River Transportation and Safety Liwan Lagang, RM25,000 from Gerawat, RM25,000 from Baram MP Anyi Ngau, and RM20,000 from Dennis himself, while the rest were from sales of dinner tickets.
The dinner also hosted the presentation of appreciation awards to the eight Kayan men and woman, whose translated works helped produce the first New Testament in Kayan language.