BINTULU: The Gawai celebration is not only a time to honour the harvest, but also an important platform to strengthen unity and preserve the cultural heritage of the Dayak community, says Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee.
He described the Gawai tradition as a cultural asset that must be safeguarded and preserved by all parties to ensure the continued survival of ethnic identity and noble values passed down through generations.
“This celebration unites people from various backgrounds and serves as a means to strengthen our identity and cultural heritage,” he said during the Ngabang Gawai with the Community programme at Rumah Chundi Mawat, Sungai Segan, Jalan Samarakan, today.
Iskandar also assured that the state government would continue to support inclusive rural development efforts—socially, culturally, and economically—to ensure no one is left behind in Sarawak’s progress.
“I am committed to ensuring that the Dayak community in the Jepak area continues to benefit from development while preserving the heritage that we are all proud of.”
The presence of the Jepak assemblyman with his wife, Dayang Loha Awang Sahari, along with the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) N67 Jepak delegation and staff from the Jepak Service Centre, reflected their commitment to standing with the people, particularly in celebrating the Gawai Dayak festival as part of Sarawak’s identity.
The programme was further enlivened by cultural performances, traditional feasts, and the presentation of contributions to residents, symbolising the assemblyman’s care for the community’s well-being.
