Gerawat (third left) and Wilson (second left) insert a plate with a native design into the GDB 2023 casing to symbolically launch the event.
MIRI (April 16): Gawai Dayak Bazaar returns for its eighth consecutive year this May 1 to ensure social and cultural continuity and also to provide a platform for business opportunities.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said this in his address at the Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2023 Pre-Launch Dinner hosted by Persatuan Gagasan Anak Dayak Sarawak (GADS) here Friday night.
“Gawai Dayak Bazaar (GDB) is not only seen as one of the platforms to strengthen unity among our society, but also to ensure that the tradition of this festival does not fade away with time,” said Gerawat, who is also Mulu assemblyman.
“I am confident that through the organisation of this GDB, we will not only be able to promote the local cuisines, but also the customs and culture of the Dayak community, for both locals and outsiders to experience,” he said.
Adding on, he said Sarawakians are lucky to have a caring government that always supports the activities and programmes which highlight the culture of the multiracial community as he believed that inclusivity in diversity also plays an important role in the state’s development.
On this year’s GDB that will run from May 1 to May 20 at its previous location in Permyjaya here, Gerawat was glad to note that a total of 65 canopies involving more than 100 traders would be participating in this year’s GDB, compared to only 45 canopies with 68 traders last year.
“This is a good sign to restore the economy and I hope that this year’s GDB will achieve its goals and positively impact each and every group of people involved,” he said.
“Therefore, I urge all the Dayak to reach a mutual goal and understanding and to continue to play a role to ensure that Sarawak remains strong and united,” he said, while expressing hopes that this year’s bazaar will create its own history.
At the dinner, Gerawat also announced an allocation of RM20,000 from his Minor Rural Project (MRP) fund to run the GDB 2023.
Also contributing to GDB 2023 were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting (RM10,000); Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin (RM5,000); Deputy Minister of Welfare, Women, Family Community Wellbeing and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus (RM5,000); Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurs Development Dr Ripin Lamat (RM5,000); Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau (RM5,000); Miri mayor cum Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii (RM3,000); Miri MP Chiew Choon Man (RM3,000) and local businessman Anderson Datu (RM10,000).
Also present at the event were GADS chairman David Upe; GDB 2023 organising chairman Wilson Robert Sabang and Temenggong Wilson Atong.