BETONG: The Dayak community are reminded to not let their guards down in their eagerness to celebrate the coming Gawai Dayak in less restrictive manner in two weeks time.
Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat said this was because the fight against the Covid-19 was still continuing.
“We are all looking forward very much to celebrate the Gawai the usual way in our longhouses after not having the opportunity to do so over the last two years. When we celebrate, we must not forget to practise the standard operating procedures against the Covid-19.
“I know the temptation and the urge are there to throw caution to the wind when were are joyfully celebrating. But we must always be very mindful of the need to protect one another,” he said when presenting Gawai food gifts from Petronas and Malaysia LNG Group of Companies (MLNG) to 50 recipients at the Betong Resident Office here yesterday.
The two corporations had chosen some 500 families in the Division to receive the gifts this year.
Petronas gaved away 300 while the MLNG gave 200 packs under their Sentuhan Kasih Gawai 2022 programme.
Chuat was representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah at the function.
Meanwhile, Chuat said the people in the state were very lucky as they had a government which had been very caring and supportive especially at the beginning of the pandemic.
“We had also seen how many big corporations including Petronas and MLNG had generously chipped in to the efforts to help all those affected.
“One of our local leaders Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah who is Bukit Saban assemblyman is still leading the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee in the fight.
“He together with our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and many others including the frontliners had done very well for us, so let us all continue to tread the careful path ” Chuat said.
Later, Chuat also officiated at the Betong 2022 pre-Gawai Carnival here and said that Betong ‘s crop of past and present leaders had laid a very solid framework of infrastructural and amenities development.
He said their efforts had been greatly facilitated by the solid unity and support of the people.
“Thus, the people must continue to be united and to treasure the existing political stability,” he added.
