KUCHING: Residents are being urged to uphold unity, cultural harmony, community development and education as the Gawai Dayak celebration draws near.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said Gawai is more than a festive occasion marked by food, music and entertainment, serving instead as a valuable platform to strengthen friendship, mutual respect and understanding among Sarawakians of different races and religions.
He said Sarawak’s multicultural harmony remains one of the state’s greatest strengths and should continue to be preserved for future generations.
“The celebration reflects the strong spirit of togetherness that has long been a hallmark of Sarawak’s multicultural society. We must continue to uphold these values of unity, respect and cooperation,” he said during a Pre-Gawai celebration organised by the residents and village committee of Kampung Sungai Laru.
Wee also expressed appreciation to the organisers, community leaders, volunteers, sponsors and residents whose collective efforts contributed to the success of the event.
He took the opportunity to recognise the role of mothers in building strong families and communities, describing them as the backbone of society through their sacrifices, love, care and guidance.
During the programme, incentive awards were presented to outstanding Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students from Kampung Sungai Laru.
Wee encouraged young people to continue pursuing education, describing it as a pathway towards a brighter future for themselves, their families and the wider community.
He said the strong participation and cooperation shown by residents demonstrated the importance of maintaining a united community in creating a safer, healthier and more harmonious living environment.
Wee added that MBKS would continue working closely with local communities through infrastructure improvement projects, environmental cleanliness initiatives, upgrades to public facilities and various community-based programmes.
He stressed that community development should not focus solely on physical progress but must also prioritise strengthening social bonds and improving the well-being of residents, particularly youths, women, senior citizens and children.
