SARAWAK will not punish any “tuai rumah” (headman) for inviting state opposition leaders to their longhouses for the recent Gawai celebrations, said Deputy Chief Minister James Masing.

“The state government has no restriction or ruling against anybody holding Gawai celebrations. Whoever they want to invite is their prerogative.

“It’s their freedom to do so,” he said last night after attending a “ngiling bidai” (rolling of the mats) ceremony in Kuching.

“Ngiling bidai” marks the end of the Dayak community’s Gawai rice harvest festival.

Masing’s comments come amid rumours that “tuai rumah” and community leaders who hosted Pakatan Harapan figures are now on the chopping block.

“They can decide what to do. If the ‘tuai rumah’ wants to invite (Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad, we cannot stop him from doing so.”

The precarious position of community leaders in Sarawak’s new political landscape was thrust to the fore when a former freelance journalist claimed, before Gawai, that Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri had forced a village headman in Sungei Buluh – an lban longhouse in the former federal minister’s constituency – to cancel a proposed gathering for Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

Joseph Tawie has been served a letter of demand to retract the statement, made on May 10 on Facebook.

He has said he will challenge Nancy.

“I am contesting the suit, and I am very confident – with our prayers and your prayers – that we can get through with this suit. I have a number of credible witnesses,” he said in a Facebook post a few days ago.

Nancy has denied forcing the headman to cancel the gathering. She said she is taking the matter to court as Tawie’s accusation has tarnished her reputation.

“I have never issued any directive or instruction as alleged by Tawie. I consider this as a serious allegation that must be addressed immediately.”

Gobind, however, was feted elsewhere – Rumah Hendry Nuni Anak Plen in Ulu Sebauh, Bintulu; Kg Triboh in Serian; and, Kg Benuk, a 780-door Bidayuh village in Jalan Puncak Borneo near Kuching. – June 19, 2019.