600 attend pre-Gawai Dayak dinner in Pakan

Some 600 people attended a pre- Gawai Dayak dinner organised by Gerempong Raban Pakan (GRP) at the community hall here recently.

GRP chairman Jerenang Jawa believed the overwhelming response was a ref lection of the peoples’ acceptance and acknowledgement of the services provided by the organisation to the local community.

Among others, he pointed out GRP emphasises the importance of knowledge as a means to improve the livelihood of the rural community, hence, the setting-up of a special bureau to look into the community’s education needs.

Besides this, it also made an effort to expose the local community to various economic opportunities made available by the government with the aim to improve the socio- economic status of the people, Jerenang added.

Adding colour to the festive gathering was a Kumang Gawai competition which saw the participation of local beauties.

The contest saw Noraini Roseline crowned Kumang Gawai Pakan 2018 while Maryanie Kundat and Stephny Maszleen Sophian were first and second runners-up respectively.

Apart from trophies and hamper, the top three finishers also walked home with RM500, RM400 and RM300, respectively.

At the same event, GRP also presented education incentives to four members’ children who excelled in their studies.

The recipients were Amylia Fung Siaw Lee ( PMR), Ying Sii Mei and Kevin Fung Kin Kiat ( SPM), and Alexander Nanggai Inggit and Rosnika Henda Geragop ( Diploma and STPM respectively).