Niti Daun parade bringing together 114 contingents showing diverse cultures, traditions and identities of the Dayak community

KUCHING, June 20 2026: The Niti Daun Parade held in conjunction with the Sarawak Gawai Dayak 2026 celebration brought together 114 contingents that showcased the diverse cultures, traditions and identities of the Dayak community from all over Sarawak.

Caption: The winning contingent in  the Orang Uku category

The parade, officiated by Premier Abang Johari Openg, began from Tun Jugah complex and ended at town square, Waterfront.

Deputy Premier and chairman of the celebration main organising committee Douglas Uggah Embas said the encouraging participation reflected the Dayak community's continued commitment to preserving cultural heritage while strengthening the spirit of unity among people of various races.

"This year we witnessed the participation of 114 contingents consisting of 15 floats and 99 marching teams. What was most impressive was the appearance of several ethnic groups that we rarely see performing in a large-scale event like this," he told reporters after the parade.

According to him, this edition also saw the participation of several ethnic groups that were rarely featured before, including the Remun and Tagal communities, thus enriching the cultural exhibition that was shown to the public.

A participant in the Niti Daun parade in his unique costume 

The participation of various Dayak ethnic associations and communities from across the state also proved their determination in upholding the culture and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation so that they remain relevant and known to future generations.

He said the parade was not just a platform to showcase cultural heritage, but also an important medium to introduce the diverse identities of the Dayak community to Malaysians and tourists who attended the celebration.

He described the success of the parade as a manifestation of the strong spirit of unity among the Dayak community, which consists of various ethnicities and backgrounds.

He said that participants who came from various parts including Lawas, Miri and the interior areas were willing to spend time and travel long distances to make the event a success and present the unique culture of their respective communities.

“This is the contribution of the Dayak community to the unity and harmony of the country. We show that despite being made up of various ethnicities and cultures, we are able to unite and work together to make a program that gives great meaning to the community,” he said.

He hoped that the community would continue to appreciate the role of the Dayak community in strengthening national unity through the preservation of cultural heritage which is part of Malaysia’s unique identity.

The parade is one of the highlights of the Gawai Dayak celebration 2026 which brings together various cultural performances, traditional costumes, performing arts and heritage symbols of the Dayak community from across the state

Government plans to use areas surrounding Baleh Dam as natural habitat to support production of empurau fish

KUCHING, June 20 2026: The Sarawak government is planning to make use of the areas surrounding  Baleh Dam as natural habitat capable of supporting the production of empurau fish, thereby expanding the market for this premium fish species in the future.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg (centre) touring the vegetable section of Farley Kuching supermarket 

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the effort would be carried out through the planting of trees that produce a natural food source for empurau fish in the area surrounding the dam.

"In Kapit, we have the Baleh Dam. Along the river near Baleh, we want to plant trees that produce food for empurau.

"So we can create natural conditions for empurau and we can expand the market for empurau," he said,” he said at the official opening ceremony of Farley Garden Kuching today.

He stressed that thes effort is among the steps that can be implemented to make use of Sarawak's natural resources to generate higher economic value.

He added empurau, known as one of the most valuable freshwater fish in Sarawak, has great potential to be marketed to the premium segment, thereby contributing to the state's economic growth.

He also stressed that Sarawak is not only focusing on the development of the energy and infrastructure sectors, but is also continuing to strengthen its food security agenda as well as the production of local produce with high commercial value.

On infrastructure development, he said it is being carried out aggressively as a catalyst for progress in rural areas by opening up better access to facilities, markets, and economic opportunities for the people.

He said the implementation of road and bridge projects throughout the state has successfully connected rural areas with economic growth centres, thereby narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas.

According to him, better infrastructure facilities not only ease the movement of residents but also increase the economic value of local produce through wider market access.

"When we develop rural areas, rural areas will become urban because the infrastructure is adequate and our way of life also changes," he said.

Abang Johari said over the past six years, the state government has completed more than 20 bridge projects throughout Sarawak as part of efforts to strengthen the state's connectivity network.

He said the construction of such infrastructure has had a direct impact on rural communities, as agricultural produce and local products can now be marketed more easily and fetch higher value.

He also cited examples of increases in the prices of local produce in several areas following the completion of bridge and road projects that eased access to markets, thereby increasing residents' incomes.

Sabah party wants EC to allow Sabahan, Sarawakian voters residing in Malaya to vote via postal ballot in general and state elections

KOTA KINABALU, June 20 2026:  Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has submitted a letter to the Sabah Election Commission (EC) office, urging the immediate implementation of electoral reforms to enable Sabahans and Sarawakians residing outside their respective states to vote via postal ballot in general and state elections.

Caption: Lawyer Yong Yit Jee (third from left), a SAPP Supreme Council Member and Deputy Youth leader handing over a letter to a representative of the Sabah Election Commission

The letter calls on the EC to amend the Election Act 1958 and related regulations to enable Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Malaysia for employment or education to exercise their voting rights via postal ballot, without having to bear the financial and logistical burden of physically returning to their respective states to vote.

“Currently, Malaysians residing abroad are allowed to vote via postal ballot facilities. However, many Malaysians working elsewhere in the country, especially Sabahans and Sarawakians working or studying in Peninsular Malaysia, still face various obstacles in exercising their voting rights guaranteed by the Federal Constitution” SAPP Youth said in a statement yesterday.

It stressed that the issue has a greater impact on Sabah and Sarawak voters as the cost of air travel between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia, especially during election seasons, is often prohibitive.

It added many Sabahans and Sarawakians are keen to exercise their democratic responsibilities, but expensive airfares, work commitments, and limited leave often make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to return home to vote.

“Democracy should not be dependent on one’s ability to afford a return flight ticket solely to vote. Participation in the democratic process should be fairly accessible to all Malaysians regardless of where they work or study in the Federation.

“In today’s modern Malaysia, interstate migration for work and education is increasingly common. Therefore, the electoral framework also needs to evolve in line with current changes.

“Expanding postal vote eligibility will strengthen voter participation, increase electoral inclusivity, and better reflect the realities of modern society.

“Malaysia already has a postal vote mechanism and voter verification system in place. Therefore, extending this facility to domestic voters outside their respective states of origin is practical and administratively feasible.

“With the 16th General Election potentially being held any time in the near future, SAPP is of the view that reforms relating to voter accessibility need to be addressed without further delay to ensure that Sabahans and Sarawakians who work or study outside their home states are not treated unfairly in exercising their constitutionally guaranteed voting rights.

“In this regard, SAPP urges the EC to seriously consider this proposal ahead of the upcoming General Election and State Elections in order to create a more inclusive, accessible and truly representative democratic process for all Malaysians,” SAPP Youth said.