Jabu (left) greets Fadillah and Abang Johari upon their arrival at his residence for his Gawai open house. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (June 2): The Gawai Dayak celebration this year not only serves as a thanksgiving for a good harvest but also reflects Sarawak’s remarkable socio-economic transformation over the past six decades, said former Sarawak deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.
Jabu said the significance of Gawai has evolved alongside the state’s development, particularly for the Dayak community, whose livelihood was once heavily dependent on hill paddy farming.
“Today, especially during the Gawai season, we are thankful not only for the harvest but also for the many facilities and opportunities brought about by development.
“These are the fruits of successful government programmes that have improved people’s livelihoods and strengthened the state’s economy,” he said when met by reporters during his Gawai open house at his residence on Monday.
Recalling his younger days, Jabu said travelling from his hometown to Kuching once took three days and three nights, compared to just a few hours today, thanks to improved road connectivity, including the Pan Borneo Highway.
“This shows how development has transformed people’s lives. What used to take days can now be completed within hours,” he said.
He credited the state’s progress to long-term planning, prudent development policies and strong leadership, noting that Sarawak has risen from being among the country’s poorest-performing states during the early years of the federation to becoming one of Malaysia’s top-performing economies.
Jabu (eighth left) poses for a group photo with his guests during his Gawai open house. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
“We must not be afraid of exploring new areas. Young people should embrace information technology, artificial intelligence and big data because these are the industries of the future,” he added.
Beyond economic progress, Jabu said Sarawak’s greatest strength remains its unity in diversity, describing the state’s multicultural harmony as a key factor behind its stability and development.
“We are proud that racial harmony remains one of our greatest strengths. There are no serious racial conflicts here.
“In fact, the phrase ‘Segulai Sejalai’ has become a model for harmonious living throughout Malaysia. It teaches us to live together, work together, avoid unnecessary conflict and solve problems peacefully, because no one benefits from quarrelling,” he said.
As Sarawakians celebrate Gawai this year, Jabu said the occasion serves as an opportunity not only to give thanks for blessings received but also to appreciate the progress achieved through decades of development while looking forward to an even brighter future for the state.
Among the dignitaries who attended his open house were Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.
