MIRI: State Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin has called on the Dayak to fully utilise telecommunication technology to stay connected with their loved ones as house-to-house visits are not permitted during Gawai due to the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
“This is because our normal lifestyles and routines, our traditional festivals have been affected. We have to adapt to the new norm of having no open house and gatherings in each house are limited to 20 people at a time,” he said.
He said as celebrators this year have to comply with the standard operating procedures under the CMCO, they can keep the spirit of Gawai alive by utilising the various applications of telecommunication technology.
“Use smart mobile phones to send out Gawai greetings and best wishes to our relatives and friends. We can also use various apps to talk to them,” he said.
He expressed a belief that Sarawak’s various traditional celebrations could strengthen inter-ethnic bonds, cohesiveness, mutual respect, understanding and harmony.
“So, let’s continue to strengthen the Sarawakian spirit of togetherness and solidarity,” Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, said.
To walk his talk, Lee used his handphone to send recordings of his Gawai greetings and brief performance of ‘ngajat’ to relatives, community leaders, and friends, and he also posted them on his Facebook page.
“In the past, whenever I went ‘ngabang’ or Gawai visiting, they always asked me to perform the ‘ngajat’, so I think some people will miss the fun of seeing that. I hope they would enjoy my ‘ngajat’ video instead,” he said.
