BINTULU, June 4 — Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong today suggested that the federal government recognise Gawai Dayak as a national public holiday in Malaysia.

He said it is in line with the unity government’s concept led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Ugak expressed hope that the proposal can be brought to the Cabinet for consideration with the aim of enabling all Malaysians to celebrate the festive occasion together.

"If Hari Raya can be a public holiday, Chinese New Year can be a holiday and other festivals are also a holiday, what’s wrong with having our Gawai Dayak to be declared as a national public holiday to enable Malaysians to experience this celebration,” Ugak told reporters at his Gawai Dayak open house at his residence at Taman Sebiew here.

Gawai Dayak has been celebrated on June 1 and 2 in Sarawak as a state holiday since the 1960s.

Ugak said there are Dayaks who live and work in Peninsular Malaysia and cannot go back for holidays, at least they can celebrate this festival with their friends there.

"I suggest that the federal government consider this proposal of a public holiday for the Gawai Day celebration in the country in the future.

"This means that we respect the Dayaks in our country,” he stressed.

Among those who attended Ugak’s open house were Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, state Minister of Food Industries, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundie and state deputy ministers Datuk Liwan Lagang and Datuk Majang Renggi.