MIRI: The Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2025 officially concluded on Friday, marking the end of its vibrant 23-day run that began on 1 May.

Organised by the Gagasan Anak Dayak Sarawak Association (GADS), the bazaar successfully positioned itself as a central hub for cultural, commercial, and social activities among Miri’s diverse communities.

This year’s edition saw the participation of over 100 Dayak entrepreneurs, with 74 canopies set up to offer a wide variety of food, beverages, and locally crafted items—many of which highlighted the artistic heritage of the Dayak community.

Sarawak Minister of Transport, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, said the strong public response reflected a growing interest and positive momentum among Dayak entrepreneurs in pursuing business opportunities.

“I congratulate GADS on the success of this bazaar, which has clearly met its objective as a vital platform for Dayak entrepreneurs to explore and grow their interest in business,” he said during the closing ceremony.

He also shared that the idea to organise the Gawai Dayak Bazaar was conceived 11 years ago, inspired by the successful models of Ramadan and Chinese New Year bazaars.

According to Lee, he has supported GADS from the outset and even allocated special funding last year to ensure the event’s success.

“Sarawak’s uniqueness lies in its cultural diversity. We must continue to create spaces where all communities can showcase their traditions. Perhaps in the future, we could also consider similar bazaars for other celebrations such as Christmas,” he added. -UKASnews