KUCHING: Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will be joined by 16 other Dayak Federal and state leaders in hosting a Gawai Dayak open house at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Thursday (June 1).
Uggah said the open house from 10am to 4pm would see Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang attending as guests of honour.
"They are expected to join us at 11.30am. We cordially invite the public to share the Gawai joy with us," he said in a statement on Monday (May 29).
Gawai Dayak, the harvest festival of Sarawak's Dayak communities, is celebrated on June 1-2.
Uggah said the other Dayak leaders jointly hosting the open house included Federal Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, state Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
Others are state deputy ministers Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Datuk Majang Renggi, Datuk Liwan Lagang, Datuk Gerawat Gala, Datuk Malcom Mussen Lamoh, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Jefferson Jamit Unyat and Martin Ben.
The open house will kick off a series of events planned for this year's Gawai celebration with the theme "Segulai Sejalai" (Together In Unity).
It will be followed by the state-level Gawai dinner at the same venue on June 7, which is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
There will also be a Gawai parade on June 17, featuring about 2,500 participants in over 80 contingents, along the Kuching Waterfront.
In addition, a Gawai Dayak bazaar will be held at the Dewan Masyarakat in Padungan here from June 16 to 25 with food and handicraft stalls as well as cultural performances, talent shows as well as pageants for both men and women.
