Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil Appointed Chairman Of Sarawak State-Level Gawai Dayak 2026 Celebration
MIRI: Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government I, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Sarawak State-Level Gawai Dayak 2026 Celebration to coordinate various programmes and activities for the prestigious event this year.
He said this during a press conference regarding the organisation of the Gawai Dayak Bazaar and Ethnocultural Festival held at the Miri Divisional Resident's Office on Friday.
According to Datuk Dr Penguang, several meetings have been conducted to coordinate the programme's organisation and to appoint committees that will manage the diverse activities throughout the celebration.
"This year’s Gawai Dayak celebration will feature various cultural programmes and competitions involving participation from various races, reflecting the spirit of inclusiveness and ethnic diversity in Sarawak.
“The main highlight, the Gawai Dayak Bazaar and Ethnocultural Festival, will run for 23 days from 1 to 23 May 2026 at the Gawai Dayak Bazaar site in Permyjaya, Miri," he said.
He added that a variety of engaging activities will be organised during the festival, including karaoke, sape, ngajat and betabuh, and kuntau competitions, as well as live band busking and other cultural contests.
Furthermore, the festival will showcase traditional attire displays representing the unique garments of Bumiputera communities from approximately 12 to 15 ethnic groups found in the Miri Division.
Other scheduled events include the Gendang Pampat competition, Kumang Anembiak Mit, Dayung Sangon, a Long Dance competition, Keligit Orang Ulu, Keling Belawan, and the Kumang Iban competition, which are expected to attract participants from across Sarawak.
The official opening ceremony of the festival is scheduled for 2 May 2026, with the closing ceremony to be held on 23 May 2026.
In addition, Datuk Dr Penguang announced that the traditional Niti Daun (procession) will take place in Kuching on 20 June 2026, with the participation of around 99 teams.
Meanwhile, the State-Level Gawai Dayak Celebration Dinner is scheduled for 21 June 2026, and is expected to be attended by top national and state leaders, including Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.
“Therefore, I call upon all committees, government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the local community to provide their full cooperation in ensuring the success of this celebration," he stated. — UKASnews
