(Miri, 31st) Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, today officiated the opening ceremony of the 2025 National Association of Kenyah-Badeng Cultural Festival. He stated that this festival not only showcases the traditional arts, culture, and spiritual essence of the Kenyah-Badeng ethnic group but also serves as an important platform for multi-ethnic unity and exchange.
The 2025 Sarawak Kenyah-Badeng National Association Cultural Festival grandly commenced this morning at the Miri National Youth Technical Institute, gathering representatives from Kenyah-Badeng branches across the country, as well as friendly representatives from North Kalimantan, Indonesia. The event features a rich array of activities, including traditional sports competitions, handicraft displays, dance performances, singing, and cultural exchange activities.
Due to Dato Sri Tiong King Sing's busy schedule, he was unable to attend, and his speech was read by Senator Aben Ray. In his speech, he thanked the organizing committee of the Sarawak Kenyah-Badeng National Association Council and the Miri Branch Organizing Committee for their warm invitation and highly appreciated the Association's efforts in promoting indigenous culture.
“The holding of the Sarawak Kenyah-Badeng National Association Cultural Festival reflects the ethnic group's adherence to its cultural roots and responds to the 'high-value culture' concept emphasized by national cultural policy, which is building culturally literate advanced citizens through the transmission of rituals, systems, and knowledge.”
He pointed out that Malaysia is a multi-cultural country; only by understanding and respecting each other's cultural differences can true unity and harmony be achieved.
“Unity is not a slogan, but a process in which every ethnic group can be seen, respected, and empowered. The Kenyah-Badeng Cultural Festival is such a platform.”
He urged the Sarawak Kenyah-Badeng National Association to continue using culture as a bridge to promote dialogue and connection among all ethnic groups, and to conduct more meaningful community activities nationwide to contribute to the vision of prosperous Malaysia.
Tiong King Sing also reiterated that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture will continue to support civil cultural organizations in holding multi-cultural festivals and promoting cultural heritage, especially in uncovering and preserving precious cultural heritage within frontier indigenous communities.
He expressed hope that through the Kenyah-Badeng Cultural Festival, more young people will recognize and cherish their cultural roots and promote a social atmosphere of multi-ethnic integration and shared prosperity.
Additionally, Senator Aben Ray also praised the entire organizing committee and staff of the Kenyah-Badeng National Association for successfully hosting this event, fully demonstrating that the Kenyah-Badeng ethnic group not only has a profound cultural background but also shows great enthusiasm and responsibility in promoting community unity and development.
He stated that culture is the soul of a nation. In this rapidly modernizing era, preserving and promoting traditional culture is extremely important. Through this event, we can personally experience the charm of the Kenyah-Badeng traditional dance, music, costumes, and rituals, which are precious cultural heritage of Sarawak.
“Sports is a bridge to health and progress. Sports not only strengthen the body but also cultivate the fighting spirit, discipline, and team collaboration skills of the younger generation. When we combine sports and culture in one event, it can evoke a strong sense of community belonging and unite people from different backgrounds.”
He also felt immense pride for the sense of unity displayed among ethnic groups at this event. In Sarawak and even in Malaysia, our true strength lies in mutual respect, harmonious coexistence, and moving forward together amid diversity.
He encouraged the next generation to pursue higher education. He is gratified that now in Kenyah-Badeng National Association member families, almost every household has at least one university student, and in some cases, all siblings have attended university—a truly commendable achievement.
He said the government has always supported various activities contributing to community development, especially those involving culture, youth, and unity. He personally will continue to stand with the Kenyah-Badeng ethnic group and all local communities to ensure they are heard, and their needs receive appropriate attention and response.
Senator Aben Ray (4th left) at the opening ceremony. Right 3 and 2 are Dato Sri Tiong King Sing's representative and Progressive Democratic Party Chief Anthony Lin and Dato Sri Li Jing Sheng's representative Xiong Qian Yu City Councillor.