Three Orang Ulu honoured with Dayak Icon Awards at state Gawai Dayak gala
KUCHING (June 24): Three distinguished individuals from the Orang Ulu community were honoured as recipients of the Dayak Icon Awards 2025.
They were celebrated and presented with the state's highest accolades during the state Gawai Dayak Gala Dinner on Sunday night at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
The celebration, which carried the theme 'Peji Kenep Panau Pegep' (Segulai Sejalai — Together in Unity), was graced by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other distinguished guests.
The trio represented distinct categories — Jonathan Nyepa, a celebrated national sprinter of Kenyah descent, was recognised under the Sports category; Francisca Luhong James, who is of Kenyah-Kayan-Iban heritage, received the award for the Talent category; and renowned sape maestro Mathew Ngau Jau, of the Kenyah Ngorek sub-group, was honoured in the Arts and Culture category.
Jonathan was selected for his exceptional achievements as both a Sarawakian and national athlete, having won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at various levels.
His sporting resume includes participating in the 2018 Commonwealth Games; 2018 and 2023 Asian Games; SEA Games (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2023); National Championships (2015, 2017, 2010, 2022 and 2023) as well as Sukma in 2014 and 2016.
Meanwhile, Francisca brought pride to both Sarawak and Malaysia on the international stage through beauty pageants, achieving remarkable milestones in the competitions she joined. Her accolades include Miss Universe Malaysia 2020, Top 5 finalist of Miss World Malaysia 2018, and 4th Runner-up in Miss World Malaysia 2016.
Mathew Ngau was recognised for his extensive contributions to the arts, particularly in popularising the sape – a traditional Orang Ulu string instrument – which led him to perform across various countries.
He was appointed Rainforest World Music Festival Ambassador in 2011, named Malaysia's Master Artisan (Adi Guru) in 2022, and honoured as a National Heritage Personality in 2015 by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Dayak Icon Awards Gawai Dayak lead Orang Ulu
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