Celebrating under ‘new normal’

In Gawai message, CM lauds Dayak community for adhering to directives to tone down festivities

KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has lauded the Dayak community for complying with the government’s directives to tone down this year’s Gawai Dayak celebration as the state continues its fight against Covid-19.

In his Gawai Dayak message, the Chief Minister says the ongoing Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), which ends June 9, means the festival cannot be celebrated as usual, with houseto-house visits or ‘ ngabang’ and open houses not allowed, and family gatherings capped at not more than 20 people.

“The government does not have the ability to inspect every house and village but I trust the respective village heads and ‘ tuai rumah’ will monitor the compliance of standard operating procedures and festival celebration protocol,” he said.

Abang Johari said due to interdistrict and interstate travel restrictions, many had not been able to go back to their village or longhouse, including those working in the oil and gas sector.

“However, it’s okay. The most important thing is for everyone to be safe during this Covid-19 outbreak. Once the situation returns to normal in the future, we can ‘ber-Gawai’ and celebrate like old times.”

He added that as the peaceloving residents of ‘Bumi Kenyalang’, Sarawakians should cherish the fact that communities in the state were able to celebrate festivals according to their religion and traditions in a peaceful environment, despite coming from different backgrounds.

“To all our Dayak friends,

I truly hope this year’s Gawai festival could be celebrated in a joyful environment despite the different circumstances.

“Selamat Gawai Dayak to all, no ma er where you are.”

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said prudent spending over the past decades had put Sarawak in a strong financial position and allowed the state government to complement the federal government’s assistance for the people to cushion the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The most important thing is for everyone to be safe during this Covid-19 outbreak. Once the situation returns to normal in the future, we can ‘ber-Gawai’ and celebrate like old times.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg

He explained that this strong financial position enabled the state government to afford the three versions of the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance packages to help those affected by the implementation of the Movement Control Order (CMO) and CMCO. “A stable political climate and peace among communities of different races and religions have become the foundation for an orderly and good administration. “The state government enjoys a stronger financial standing compared with other states in the country. As the saying goes, we save for the rainy days. “Funds that were saved over the past decades and that have continued to increase every year have allowed us to face the current difficulties from a stronger position,” he said. Abang Johari said it was his hope that all the cash and noncash incentives rolled out by the state government would be able to lessen the financial burden of the public, some of whom had lost their source of income during the MCO and CMCO. “I hope the qualified heads of household, entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprise owners have received the financial aid or have applied for the assistance given by the state government,” he said, adding that business owners were also able to enjoy exemptions from business licence payments and discounts on rental rates during this period. The state government, he said, had also spent RM16.4 million to provide essential food supplies to half a million Sarawakians during the CMO period, with the items being transported via land, air and water channels to all corners of the state.