Premier greenlights proposal for World Tribal Festival at Redeems

BY ALEXANDRA LORNA & NURIN PATRA

BAU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has given green light to the proposal of establishing a World Tribal Festival at the Bidayuh Cultural Village Redeems, here.

He expressed his support for the festival, emphasising its potential to celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Sarawak’s diverse communities.

“The Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (Redeems) is here to ensure that the cultural bondage among our communities is sustainable.

“We also want the new generation to preserve our long-standing culture that has played a role in helping one another. We have customs. Customs reflect our cultural civilization. This is important for our community to understand,” he said.

He said this in his speech during the 16th Gawai Carnival Redeems 2024 at Bidayuh Cultural Village Redeems, Bau here last night (July 27).

Abang Johari (right) officiates the 16th Gawai Carnival Redeems 2024 accompanied by Nansian (second right) and other dignitaries.

Thus, Abang Johari said Redeems should also be upgraded with necessary facilities.

“I have called the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA), to work on the air-conditioning system. It is actually in the tender process. By November, they will appoint the contractor to finish before your next Gawai.

“Meaning next Gawai, you can invite me again. So this will become a cultural centre with a stage and longhouse.

“So I support the proposal to have a tribal event in the Redeems area. I will instruct Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah to work on this tribal centre,” he said.

He also said that the state government will allocate an additional Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant of over RM1 million to Tasik Biru assemblyman, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep for upgrading Redeems’ parking space.

“It was requested by the Redeems president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie. And I will give the money through an additional MRP for parking purposes and I hope it will benefit the community here,” he said.