Day: May 28, 2026

Gawai Day: Preserving heritage in the midst of modernization

KUCHING: Despite the excitement of the Gawai Day celebration, the Dayak community in Sarawak is facing the challenge of defending their customs and heritage, especially in the face of modernisation. Former Sarawak Customs and Traditions Council Research Assistant Philip Igai said the Gawai Day celebration has changed a lot now compared to the 1960s to 1980s, which prioritized elements of rituals and traditional customs. He said that among the factors that led to traditional ritual practices no longer being carried out was the change in religious beliefs among the Dayak community, especially after many converted to Christianity. "In the past, there were more traditional elements such as Gawai Umai and Gawai Tuah which involved the elderly with various traditional ceremonies. "Elderly people at that time played a major role in managing ceremonies. Today, most traditional ceremonies are becoming rarer and are almost not carried out," he told Bernama. The 76-year-old former teacher said that to attract the interest and involvement of the younger generation, the Gawai celebration committee at the longhouse is now more inclined to plan activities suitable for the group in question. Among the main activities, he said, were sports competitions such as sepak takraw and futsal, and there were also karaoke activities which were also well received. "Despite that, efforts to preserve cultural heritage are still ongoing. In the Betong area, for example, there are certain clubs and associations that help the younger generation learn traditional cultural arts," he said. Philip said that although traditional elements are diminishing, the Gawai Day celebration, which is celebrated on June 1 and 2, still remains a symbol of the identity of the Dayak community, which consists of almost 30 ethnic groups in Sarawak. He said efforts to make the Gawai Dayak celebration a national celebration had long been discussed since the early 1960s by leaders such as Datuk Seri Tra Zehnder. "Before it was officially recognized, the Dayak community celebrated various Gawai festivals according to their respective communities as a sign of gratitude to God for the harvest, but the celebration dates differed according to the area and local customs. "After the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the first Chief Minister of Sarawak, Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan, agreed to have this festival gazetted and the first Gawai Day celebration was celebrated on June 1, 1965," he said. Philip said that although the actual Gawai Day celebration begins on June 1, preparations begin earlier through a special meeting to establish a celebration committee at the longhouse for the purpose of distributing tasks. "Usually on May 30, preparations begin with food preparation such as slaughtering chickens, cooking lemang and preparing various traditional dishes. "On the morning of May 31, longhouse residents began arranging mats in the ruai to mark the start of the real Gawai celebration. Some also took the opportunity to visit the graves of family members," he said. He said that on the night of May 31, longhouse residents will gather in the ruai for the Gawai celebration ceremony and at that time, special drums known as gendang rayah will be played. “There is also a 'berayah' event, where representatives from each room walk around the ruai while wearing traditional clothing and carrying a machete as a traditional symbol. "By midnight, the Gawai Chief will deliver a speech and at exactly 12 midnight (June 1), all the longhouse residents will drink 'air pengayu' as a symbol of the beginning of the Gawai new year and they will shake hands as a sign of forgiving mistakes," he said. -- BERNAMA

KUCHING: Despite the excitement of the Gawai Day celebration, the Dayak community in Sarawak is facing the challenge of defending their customs and heritage, especially in the face of modernisation. Former Sarawak Customs and Traditions Council Research Assistant Philip Igai said the Gawai Day celebration has changed a lot now compared to the 1960s to […]

Mohamed Salah’s Departure Marks the End of Liverpool’s Modern Identity

There are great players. There are legends. And then there are players who permanently redefine the identity of a football club. Mohamed Salah was never just another forward for Liverpool. He became the face of Liverpool’s modern revival; the symbol of an era that transformed the club from hopeful contenders into one of Europe’s most feared football institutions once again. Now, as Salah prepares to leave Anfield at the end of the season, it feels less like a normal transfer and more like the closing chapter of an epic story that lasted nearly a decade. And one enormous question now hangs over Liverpool Football Club: Are Liverpool truly ready to live without Mohamed Salah? From “Chelsea Reject” to King of Merseyside Many people forget that Salah’s first spell in English football was widely viewed as a failure. During his time at Chelsea, he struggled for opportunities, failed to fully adapt to the intensity of the Premier League, and was often dismissed as a player who simply was not ready for English football. In modern football, many careers never recover from that label. But Salah chose the difficult path instead of the easy one. He rebuilt himself in Italy, first with Fiorentina and later with AS Roma, where he evolved into a devastating attacking weapon; direct, explosive, clinical, and terrifying in transition. Even then, few expected what would happen next. When Liverpool signed Salah in 2017 under Jürgen Klopp, skepticism surrounded the deal. Many believed the transfer fee was too high for a player they considered “just another fast winger.” That judgment aged horribly. Because Salah did not merely become good. He became a phenomenon. The Arrival That Changed Liverpool Forever Salah’s first season at Liverpool was absurd. Goals arrived every week. Records disappeared constantly. Premier League defenses were torn apart by his movement, finishing, and relentless attacking intelligence. He was not a traditional winger. He was a statistical machine. Almost immediately, Salah transformed Liverpool into something entirely different. Klopp’s aggressive, high-pressing system suddenly had the perfect final piece on the right flank. The trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino became one of the most feared attacking combinations of the modern Premier League era. But brutally speaking, Salah was the primary output of that system. While other players experienced fluctuations in form, Salah almost always delivered the same things consistently: goals, assists and constant attacking danger. That is what separates elite players from legends. Consistency. The End of an Era This final season feels different. Salah still remains dangerous. Still decisive. Still capable of changing games within seconds. But there is also the unmistakable feeling of fatigue surrounding a generation that has spent years competing at the highest possible level. Liverpool themselves are entering a major transition: Jürgen Klopp is leaving, the structure of the squad is changing, a new generation is emerging, and the club’s identity is slowly being rebuilt. Salah appears to understand this perfectly. Instead of staying too long and allowing decline to damage his legacy, he seems prepared to leave while still operating at an elite level. Historically, many football legends remain at clubs long enough for supporters to remember the decline more than the greatness. Salah appears determined not to let that happen. And that may be one of the smartest decisions of his career. The Tragic Greatness of Liverpool’s Klopp Era Perhaps the biggest debate surrounding this Liverpool generation is whether they should have won far more than they actually did. The unfortunate reality is that Liverpool existed during the era of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, a machine-like football empire that constantly pushed the standards of English football to impossible levels. In another era, this Liverpool side may have: won multiple Premier League titles, built a true dynasty, and been universally recognised as one of the greatest teams in football history. Instead, history will only see the trophies, not the context behind them. And that makes the Salah era feel slightly tragic despite its brilliance. Is Mohamed Salah Liverpool’s Greatest Modern Player? Statistically, the argument is extremely strong. In terms of impact, it may be even stronger. Salah did not simply score goals for Liverpool. He helped restore the club to European football’s elite level once again. He: ended Liverpool’s long Premier League title drought, helped deliver the UEFA Champions League, elevated the standards of the entire club, and turned Liverpool back into a team feared across Europe. For many supporters, he became the defining face of modern Liverpool itself. Liverpool After Salah Could Be Dangerous — And Not in a Good Way Replacing Mohamed Salah is not as simple as signing another winger. Liverpool are not just losing goals. They are losing: leadership, durability, consistency, fear factor, and an almost guaranteed source of elite attacking production. Football today is filled with talented players. But players capable of delivering world-class output for nearly an entire decade are extraordinarily rare. That is legendary territory. And Liverpool’s biggest challenge may not be finding another talented forward. It may be accepting that players like Salah do not appear often within a single generation. What Comes Next for Salah? Many expect Salah’s next destination to be Saudi Arabia, where massive financial projects continue attracting football’s biggest global stars. And honestly, he no longer has anything left to prove. His legacy is already complete. He arrived in England as a player once considered a failure. He leaves as one of the greatest players in Premier League history. That transformation alone is extraordinary. The End of Liverpool’s Modern Identity Mohamed Salah leaving Liverpool is not merely the departure of a footballer. It represents the ending of an entire Liverpool identity. An identity built upon: relentless high pressing, lightning-fast attacks, chaotic European nights at Anfield, and a team capable of frightening the biggest clubs in world football. Salah became the face of that era. And when he leaves, Liverpool will not simply lose a forward. They will lose a symbol. Which is why the biggest question facing Liverpool today is no longer: “Who replaces Mohamed Salah?” But rather: “Will Liverpool ever find another player like him again within this generation?” -- MINUTESMY / SUGAN BALAN

There are great players. There are legends. And then there are players who permanently redefine the identity of a football club. Mohamed Salah was never just another forward for Liverpool. He became the face of Liverpool’s modern revival; the symbol of an era that transformed the club from hopeful contenders into one of Europe’s most […]

Putin wishes Muslims a happy Eid al-Adha

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, in addition to praising the group's contributions to social and cultural life in the country, reported Anadolu Agency. In a congratulatory message published by the Kremlin, Putin said the celebration, rooted in centuries-old Islamic traditions, "calls its adherents to goodness, justice, mercy and piety." "Adhering to the teachings and traditions of your ancestors, you celebrate this festival widely, thus returning believers to the origins of Islam," he said. Putin also noted the active role played by Islamic organizations in the life of society in Russia, highlighting their efforts to strengthen family values, foster patriotism among the younger generation, and implement educational and welfare initiatives. "And of course, your activities aimed at supporting the country's fighters and their family members are greatly appreciated and deserve the highest appreciation," he said. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, in addition to praising the group’s contributions to social and cultural life in the country, reported Anadolu Agency. In a congratulatory message published by the Kremlin, Putin said the celebration, rooted in centuries-old Islamic traditions, “calls its adherents to goodness, justice, mercy […]

The Agong has graciously granted 148 sacrificial cows to the people of Johor

JOHOR BAHRU: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim has agreed to donate 148 cows in conjunction with this year's Hari Raya Aidiladha sacrifice to be distributed to the people throughout Johor. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the gift reflected the love, concern and closeness of the Johor Royal Institution which always prioritizes the welfare of the Johor people. He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the blessings and concern of His Majesty, who is also the Sultan of Johor. "Patik and all the people pray that His Majesty and his family will always be blessed with health, prosperity and be under the grace and protection of Allah SWT," he said in a statement on Facebook, yesterday. Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz, who is also the State Assemblyman (ADUN) for Machap, said that at the district level, the Simpang Renggam Prime Sacrifice Program also saw the distribution of 32 sacrificial cows throughout the area. He said the distribution included mosques, suraus, villages and various parties in need. -- BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim has agreed to donate 148 cows in conjunction with this year’s Hari Raya Aidiladha sacrifice to be distributed to the people throughout Johor. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the gift reflected the love, concern and closeness of the Johor Royal Institution which always prioritizes […]