Dayaks must tap the business opportunities in Johor, thanks to the Iban pioneers who paved the way in the spirit of the Iban tradition of Bejalai.

As an example, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said Dayak traders in Johor are short of several items like ‘terung asam’ and salted fish, which should be treated as opportunities rather than a problem requiring Dayaks from both sides to collaborate and network with each other for mutual business gain.

Uggah was in Johor to accompany Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg on Saturday night for a Gawai Dayak dinner.

“There is a need for collaboration (for traders in Sarawak and Johor). The government has a lot of programmes to facilitate trade and also agriculture. Dayaks must take advantage of all these. The future may be challenging but our Chief Minister has laid out a framework for us to participate in actively,” he said.

Uggah made this remark when officiating at the inaugural Samarahan Gawai Dayak Festival 2017 welcoming ceremony at the Summer Mall here yesterday.

Among those attending the grand ceremony were Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (KSMC) chairman Dato Peter Minos who is the event advisor, Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris, Batang Sadong assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo and event organising chairman Cr Florince Christy as well as Uggah’s wife Datin Amar Doreen Mayang and Minos’ wife Datin Emy.

Uggah also urged people not to miss opportunities afforded by the digital economy, for which the state government under the leadership of Abang Johari was laying the framework.

In addition, he told the people to keep abreast with the latest developments in the digital economy through learning, pointing out that the hand phone will only be a tool for communication if not utilised fully.

“There are so many opportunities for the Dayaks,” he stressed. He then urged Dayak-based NGOs to prepare their young for the digital economy.

According to Florince, the festival was held in collaboration with mainstream Dayak-based NGOs like Sarawak Dayak National Union, Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak, Dayak Bidayuh National Association and Orang Ulu National Association.

The festival is apt as there are 31 Dayak villages in Samarahan. She said members of 10 out of the 28 ethnic groups in Sarawak participated in the festival yesterday.

Among the highlights of the festival were stage show, cultural show and singing performances by popular artistes as well as the Ratu Gawai Samarahan 2017 beauty contest.

Rachel Yeow Chen Chen was adjudged the Queen of the beauty contest, followed by Jawai Jaming and Ann Faustina Rifed as the first and second runners-up. The other contestants were Veronica Selai Muni, Christy Tan Bunan, Rianna Rezzanza Rumpang, Susan Bernadine Busin, Winona Nathasa Ranjos, Marie Stephanie Naming and Marie Alexandra Beatrice.

The festival attracted around 1,000 visitors.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Churchill Edward

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