(Miri, 14th) Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, stated that the Gawai festival is not only a thanksgiving celebration for the Dayak community but also a bridge for exchange, understanding, and unity among the people of Sarawak.
He made this statement last night at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Sarawak State-level Gawai Traditional Carnival "Miss Gawai" beauty contest held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Forum of Rural Residents (FORUM).
He noted that tonight marks the climax of the two-day Sarawak State Gawai Traditional Carnival, where everyone will witness the crowning of the 2025 "State Miss Gawai". Over the past two days, various traditional sports, cultural, and artistic activities filled with ethnic flavor have been brilliantly showcased at the FORUM Cultural Center, and tonight's beauty contest brings the carnival to a successful conclusion.
He said that this year's Gawai Traditional Carnival is one of the four core projects of the Sarawak Dayak Festival. The first event was the Dayak market held from May 15 to 25 at the MJC in Kuching, gathering 180 stalls showcasing Dayak cuisine and handicrafts. The second event is the ongoing Gawai Traditional Carnival at the Miri FORUM Cultural Center, marking the first time a state-level Gawai festival core event is held in Miri.
"As the organizers, we feel very proud and grateful to thank the Sarawak Premier Abang Johari for granting us 5 acres of land and 37 million Malaysian Ringgit for the construction of the magnificent FORUM Building. This is not only a symbolic landmark for the inland ethnic groups but also an important tourist attraction in Miri City."
He also thanked the state government for providing substantial funding, allowing this year's state-level Gawai festival to be held on a grand scale. The third core project is the large-scale cultural parade on June 21 at the Kuching Waterfront, featuring 92 Dayak community groups from across Sarawak, along with delegations led by the Deputy Governor of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, and representatives from the Sabah Kadazan Dusun community. The fourth and final climax is the Gawai Festival Gala on June 22 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), with the Head of State, Premier, and Prime Minister expected to attend.
Gerawat pointed out that as organizers, the inland ethnic groups are deeply honored to host the state-level Gawai festival in Miri. He thanked the state Dayak Festival Celebration Committee, led by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, for the opportunity to organize this event, and noted that this is his third time serving as chairman of the state Dayak Festival Committee.
He also specially commended the current Gawai Traditional Carnival Organizing Committee, co-led by State Assemblyman Datuk Denis Ngau and Member of Parliament Datuk Anyi Ngau, and thanked them and their team for their efforts in successfully holding various traditional sports, cultural, and artistic activities, showcasing the rich and colorful traditions and arts of the inland ethnic groups.
He hopes the FORUM Cultural Center will continue to be a venue for more state-level and national cultural events in the future.
"The Gawai festival is not just a celebration of harvest but an important moment to give thanks for the past and pray for the future, and a bridge connecting people of all communities in Sarawak. The 'Miss Gawai' beauty contest being held tonight is not only a cultural celebration of the Dayak community but also an opportunity for different communities to understand, respect, and get closer to Dayak culture, fully embodying the spirit of 'Segulai Sejalai' (Together in Unity)."
He emphasized that tonight's beauty contest is not just about crowning the new state-level 'Miss Gawai', but more importantly, showcasing the beauty, confidence, cultural education, and elegant demeanor of the Dayak youth. This competition is not just a contest of appearance, but a stage to display costume design, language arts, traditional etiquette, and multiculturalism, reflecting the long-standing traditions and rich spiritual essence of the Dayak communities (Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, etc.).
"Gawai is not just for the Dayak community but a festival shared by all communities in Sarawak. Through the 'Miss Gawai' contest, we allow more non-Dayak friends to recognize, appreciate, and respect this cultural heritage."
Finally, he encouraged all participants to bravely showcase themselves, exude personal charm and cultural depth, and become ambassadors and role models of Dayak culture.
"I am very honored to announce the official opening of the 2025 Sarawak State-Level 'Miss Gawai' Contest! May tonight leave beautiful memories, nurture young talent, and showcase the beauty of Sarawak's culture on the world stage."
He also hopes that state-level Gawai festival events will continue to grow annually, attracting more young people to participate while preserving and promoting Sarawak's precious traditional culture.
