Show others we can also do business, Masing tells Dayaks

SIBU: The Dayaks are advised to use events such as Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival ( BDCF) as a platform to show their entrepreneurship skills.

That way, Dayak entrepreneurs could show how and the range of things they can produce, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing said.

“This is so that other people are aware of what the community can do.“I also hope the community will use such platform to work together and not only to learn how to do business,” he said when officiating at the closing of BDCF 2016 held in conjunction with Borneo Cultural Festival here on Wednesday.

Earlier, Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, said through BDCF other communities were now able to know the unique cultures of the Dayak community.

“We must have a platform of this nature to show that not only in Sarawak or Malaysia that we do have a cultural activity that is worth presenting to the people around the world,” he said.

He later commended the perseverance of BDCF organising committee and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) in organising the event.

“I have been told that BDCF had been organised for the past 14 years.

“The important thing is to keep this event going on year after year,” he said.

Among those present were Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang, Sibu Municipal Council ( SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai, Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee and BDCF organising chairman Paulus Dandee Banyang.

The function was also attended by Temenggong Stanley Geramong, Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak ( SIDS) Sibu chairperson Datuk

This is so that other people are aware of what the community can do.

Alice Jawan, Sarawak Dayak National Union ( SDNU) Sibu chairman Chambai Lindong, SMC secretary Morshidi Frederick and former Tamin assemblyman Datuk Joseph Mauh Ikeh.

The final round of Keling and Kumang BDCF 2016 contest was held to mark the closing of BDCF 2016.

Chrisyereen Kuing, 20, from Belaga, a University College of Technology Sarawak student, was crowned as Kumang in the contest. In second place was Presca Debbie Thomas while Alice Rebut was adjudged as the secondrunner up.

In the Keling contest, the fi rst to third place winners were Eugene O’Neil Charles, Philip Magang and Bonnie Blank respectively.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Deputy Chief Minister

(From second left) Moses, Stanley, Sempurai, Mauh, Paulus and Masing in a group photo with the Keling contest winners.

Chrisyereen (seated centre) poses for a photo-call with Presca (fourth left), Alice (fifth right) and other contestants.

A section of the crowd watching the contest.

Eugene (right) receives his trophy from Masing after he was announced winner of Keling contest. Looking on from left are Major (retired) Moses Ripai and Paulus.

Chrisyereen (third left) receives her trophy from Masing as Alice (left) and first place winner of Kumang BDCF 2015, Sharon Velini Nanong (right), look on.

Kumang contest winner Chrisyereen strikes a pose for shutterbugs.

Kumang contestant Manisa Tara tries to woo the judges with her move on the stage.