KUCHING: The Iban community will organise this year’s state level Gawai Dayak celebration.
This was conveyed today by the Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie, who has been appointed as head of the main organising committee.
In the light of this, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Gerawat Gala, chairman of last year’s celebration, symbolically handed over the task of organising to Sikie. The event was witnessed by the Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Sikie suggested two tentative dates for the celebration, namely, June 17 and June 24.
“We are choosing Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and Dinner World Restaurant in Bintulu for its venues.
“But we will soon have a meeting on the matter to decide on the date, venues, and others as we are proposing three other main events such as the grand dinner itself, the ‘Niti Ruai’ traditional procession and the ‘Keling and Kumang Gawai Beauty parade’.
“Of course, during these celebrations, we will also be inviting Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and their wives to be our guests of honour,” he added.
Furthermore, Sikie said that Batik shirts with Iban motifs or the traditional Iban costume had been suggested as the attire of the celebration.
For the record, last year’s state level Gawai Dayak celebration was organised by the Orang Ulu community.
