DPM will be the Tuai Pengabang at Gawai Dayak Open House

PAKAN, July 3(Bernama) — Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will be the “tuai pengabang”( guest of honour) at Gawai Dayak Open House on July 11 at Rumah Wilson Begat anak Bakir in Penom, Ulu Paku, Betong.

Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Joseph Salang Gamdum said Muhyiddin is expected to arrive at the national level event at 11am.

“He will be accorded a colourful traditional dayak welcome on arrival at the more than 85 years-old longhouse.

“We are also expecting the arrival of Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and others,” he told reporters after visiting victims of a recent longhouse fire at Rantau Betebang in Wak, here today.

More than 20 families were made homeless in the 9am fire on June 19. Salang and Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang are the joint organising chairmen.

This is the first time the open house is held in an authentic traditional longhouse instead of towns and cities as done in the past.

He said over 3,000 other guests are also expected and canopies with CCTVs will be set up at the longhouse compound to accommodate them.

Activities lined-up include stage performances by Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu artistes while traditional dayak delicacies will be served to guests.

“This is a very important event as it shows national recognition of the dayak community. The open house will ensure that others are aware of Gawai Dayak (Dayak Harvest Festival) which is celebrated on June 1 annually.” Salang said the celebration has the potential to become a big tourism event.

The longhouse located about 30km from Betong and about 60km from Sarikei is also the longhouse of Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas. –BERNAMA