PETRA JAYA: Around 1,000 people are expected to converge at the Imperial Hotel here next month for the annual Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak dinner held in conjunction with the annual harvest celebration.
The dinner, which also serves as a medium to recognise contributions from the Dayak community to Sarawak and Malaysia’s socio-economic development, will be held on June 17.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas said this year, the dinner would be organised by a committee composed of members of the Orang Ulu community.
“The dinner is an annual celebration organised by people from the Dayak community in conjunction with the Gawai celebration.
“Different ethnic groups from the Dayak community will take turns to organise this event each year,” he told reporters at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, here today.
Douglas said that out of respect to the Muslim community, who will be observing the Ramadan fasting period, the dinner will only commence at 9pm.
“We want our Muslim brothers and sisters to be able to perform their ‘terawih’ prayers before joining the dinner,” he said.
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife, Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi are among the VIPs who will grace the event.
Also scheduled to attend the dinner are Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Abang Openg and his wife, Datin Amar Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang.