Manyin releases the balloons to launch the festival watched by Henry (fifth right), William (third left) and Minos (fourth right) among others.
BAU: Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin yesterday encouraged successful Bidayuh companies to organise festivals as platforms to promote their company’s products and services.
He singled out Putra Sentosa Enterprise, a Bidayuh-owned company, as the best example of this purpose by organising the 1Singai Tondong Festival for the second consecutive year to promote the company and to provide opportunities for others.
“Festivals such as this (Pesta 1Singai Tondong) is the best way to advertise your company, for others to know what you have done and your scope of business.
“I was told that Putra Sentosa will hold this festival annually and I am sure it will be a household name in years to come. This is what we Bidayuhs want to see, a Bidayuh-owned company up there with other big companies,” he said when launching Pesta 1Singai Tondong yesterday.
The Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) chief advisor also pointed out the Bidayuh community now have a prominent corporate figure in Putra Sentosa Group of Companies chief executive officer Dato Henry Harry Jinep.
He pointed out that Henry had blazed the trail for other Bidayuhs to also succeed in business, enabling the community to continue moving forward.
“As a Bidayuh minister, I feel proud because a fellow Bidayuh blazed the trail for others to follow. I believe we the Bidayuh community no longer practise the crab mentality and I hope to see more Bidayuhs at the top,” he said.
Meanwhile, the three-day festival at 1Singai Tondong commercial centre developed by Putra Sentosa Development Sdn Bhd will see the crowning of the 1Singai Beauty Queen tonight.
Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing will officiate at the closing ceremony tomorrow night.
There are performances from local bands and artistes and special appearance by popular comedian Mr Os.
Henry in his speech said the festival was held with the aim of assisting young and budding entrepreneurs within the area.
“Our tagline is ‘Creating business entity, a humble beginning’. Through this event, we want to create a platform for networking within our community and others,” he said.
A total of 28 stalls selling various products are open at the festival and they stand a chance to win Best Stall Award.
Also present at the event were Kota Samarahan Walikota Dato Peter Minos, Sarawak Rivers Board controller William Jinep and Bau district officer Inting Nyami.