Mawan: Forgoing Gawai celebration this year a worthy sacrifice
Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) president Tan Sri William Mawan considers it a worthy sacrifice if the Dayak community decides not to celebrate this year’s Gawai in a normal manner amidst the Covid19 Pandemic which is worsening by the day.
He thus called on SDNU grassroots leaders and members to work closely with the authorities to ensure this year’s Gawai would not compromise effort that had been put in place to break the chain of Covid 19 infection in the community.
He said this when contacted for his views on this year’s Gawai following the federal government’s decision to enforce the third nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) effective May 12-June 7, and the state government’s decision to continue with Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) ‘circuit breaker’ with tightened standard operating procedure (SOP) till May 17.
Mawan acknowledged it was difficult to convince the Dayak to shelve the Gawai celebration which is an occasion for annual family gathering and merriment.
“The enforcement of CMCO or MCO would cause a lot of inconveniences to those who plan to celebrate Gawai on June 1 in their longhouses.
“They have to obtain travel permit from the police while those coming from other states have to be quarantined at designated centres.
“The enforcement of CMCO or MCO would also spoil much of the festive joy. It is therefore wise for those who work in other towns or states to forgo plans to celebrate Gawai in their longhouses during this critical time,” he said.
Mawan, who is also Pakan assemblyman, hoped that other Dayak-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would help to advise their members to shelve plan to celebrate Gawai in a joyous mood like they used to do in the pre-Covid 19 days.
“We should accept the fact that all aspect of our daily life is facing obstacles as long as Covid19 continues to haunt us,” he said.