KUCHING: The residents of multi-racial Bandar Baru Samariang held their first Ngiling Tikai (Gawai closing) ceremony last Saturday.
More than 300 people turned up for the event at the football field.
Santubung MP Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Jaafar who officiated said it was a privilege to see residents of all races coming together to celebrate the event.
“Race and religion are not issues for Sarawakians as we all can blend in well and become one community to celebrate any festive season in this country,” said the Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker.
Wan Junaidi also took the opportunity to speak a few phrases in Iban to the delight of the residents.
He said he was pleased to see the strong bond of Bandar Baru Samariang residents as one community, where race and religion are not barriers.
“Such an example should be emulated by all Malaysians around the states. We can definitely achieve a lot of things if we work together as one nation,” he stressed.
He hoped to see a similar event next year and a bigger scale to attract a larger crowd. He later gave away donations to 20 disabled persons consisting of four Malays, two Chinese and 14 Dayaks.
The ‘Ngiling Tikai’ Gawai closing event was spiced up by the 1Malaysia Kumang Gawai competition featuring 18 contestants with nine each in the adult and children’s categories.
Vicorina Petrus was crowned winner in the adult category, followed by Catherine Asin and Siti Nurwahida who finished second and third respectively.
Michell Diana was the winner in the children’s category while second and third places were taken by Viviana Robin and Aisha Nabila.
The ‘Ngiling Tikai’ was organised by the Bandar Baru Samariang commiteee together with Serakup Indu Dayak Unit Bandar Baru Samariang, SahabatKU (DBKU) and Ranting Pesaka Bandar Baru Samariang.