KUCHING: The Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) firmly supports the call by many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for Gawai Dayak to be declared a national public holiday.
Its chairman Datuk Peter Minos remarked that the Sarawak government’s declaration of Gawai Dayak as a public holiday is insufficient.
“Gawai Dayak is very dear and important occasion for the Dayaks, who include the Ibans, Bidayuhs and Orang Ulus – one of Malaysia’s indigenous communities and gradually contributing its part to the nation in various capacities.
“Therefore, the federal government’s declaration of the Gawai Dayak as a national public holiday is highly symbolic and meaningful to them,” he said.
Elaborating further, Minos pointed out that every significant community in Malaysia wanted to be nationally recognised, appreciated and respected.
“This is simply human and normal. Thus, it is in the Dayak expectation and contemplation.
“Nothing is more frustrating than a community that is overlooked and undervalued by the rest of the nation.
“Worse is being neglected and ignored,” he stressed.
He emphasised that making Gawai Dayak, one of the most important aspects of the Dayaks’ cultural and historical lives, a national holiday, would make them feel valued, loved and needed by the country.
