Najib to visit Sarawak for Gawai, says DCM
Dayak tribesmen perform a war dance in traditional costumes, May 16, 2012. — Reuters picKUCHING, May 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is scheduled to make a one-day “Gawai Dayak” visit to the Iban heartland of the Betong, Pakan and Julau districts in Sarawak on June 3, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said today.
He said Najib, who will be accompanied by wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, was expected to join Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and other state dignitaries to mingle with the locals to celebrate the annual harvest festival of the Dayak community at the Dewan Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan in Betong.
“It will be an opportunity for the prime minister to experience the Gawai Dayak atmosphere in the interior apart from the Gawai Dayak delicacies and the various Dayak cultures and traditions, which will also be showcased,” he said after chairing a meeting of the main committee in preparation for the forthcoming visit, at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Petra Jaya, here.
He said Najib and his entourage will also visit the 34-door Rumah George Chungut, Nanga Nansang, in Pakan near Sarikei before proceeding to Julau.
Sarawak Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom will welcome Najib in Pakan while Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Joseph Salang will greet him in Julau where he is scheduled to visit Rumah Jana anak Saweng at Matop, he said.
He said the prime minister will return to Kuala Lumpur later that evening. — Bernama
