LIMBANG – The Kedayan New Year Celebration 2025 was more than a cultural gathering; it became a powerful platform for promoting unity, cultural continuity, and economic growth across rural Sarawak.
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Gracing the occasion at Tuna Gumaya Benuas Village Hall on Sunday, Sarawak Deputy Premier and Bukit Sari assemblyman, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, emphasised the festival’s significance in uniting Kedayan communities from across Borneo, including Brunei Darussalam, Sabah, Labuan and Lawas.
“The Kedayan people were once farmers and craftsmen. This celebration is a form of gratitude and a reminder of our heritage,” he said.
Over 1,000 attendees joined the vibrant Kedayan Annual Dinner, organised by the Limbang Kedayan Association, showcasing the strength of communal bonds rooted in mutual cooperation and cultural pride.
Awang Tengah, who also serves as Minister of Natural Resources and Rural Development, highlighted the urgency of preserving traditional knowledge and passing it on to younger generations amidst rapid development.
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He reaffirmed Sarawak’s unwavering support for the spirit of “Unity in Diversity”, describing it as a cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the state.
As Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, he also touched on the ongoing and upcoming infrastructure developments in northern Sarawak under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, including:
- Northern Coastal Highway via Brunei (5 packages: 3 in Limbang, 2 in Lawas) beginning Q3 2025
- Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) from Gelugus to Long Lopeng
- Proposed Trans Borneo Highway
- Electricity grid connection for Limbang and Lawas
- Water and telecom expansion to support SMEs
He also announced plans to transform Limbang and Lawas into buffalo export hubs, in collaboration with M-FICORD, and to tap into tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and livestock potential in the region.
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To support the event, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah pledged RM40,000 to assist in organising the Limbang Kedayan Annual Dinner.
