BINTULU: Those wanting to return to their villages or longhouses for Gawai Dayak are advised not to do so as Covid-19 cases still soaring in Sarawak.
Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has urged the Dayak community, especially those living in the city, to postpone their plans to return to their villages or longhouses on June 1 for the harvest festival and to just stay home.
“People are also advised not to participate in ngabang (visiting) activities and instead celebrate the festival with family members living under one household or bilik (room).
“If we love our families, why should we risk ourselves and them just to get together for a day or two? For the time being, make the sacrifice and hold back the tears of not being able to meet for two years in a row,” he said.
Tiong was visiting two longhouses in Sebauh, namely Rumah Raymond Plen, Sungai Gelam and Rumah Saging Layang, Sungai Ensaie at Jalan Ulu Sebauh to inspect the compliance of the Gawai standard operating procedures (SOPs) yesterday (May 30).
The Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the People’s Republic of China also said even though Gawai Dayak festivities has to be toned down due to Covid-19, it can still be celebrated by using internet facilities which are accessible in most longhouses.
“Use applications such as Zoom, Google Chat or video calls to celebrate Gawai Dayak with families, relatives or distant friends,” he said.
He said the Covid-19 situation in the state is now more worrying and the situation is different from last year’s Gawai Dayak because the virus has now spread to most rural areas.
He also does not want another spike in cases to happen due to people celebrating Gawai — similar to the spike in cases after Hari Raya celebrations — and reminded the public to adhere to the SOPs.
