Dayak associations asked to elevate efforts to protect, preserve culture and traditions
KUCHING (May 23): Dayak-based associations have been asked to increase their efforts to preserve and protect the traditions, culture, and arts of the community.
In making this call, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu this is vital for the dignity of their communities.
'Support each other's programmes and activities, particularly in showcasing our cultures and identity. When you promote all these, Sarawak will progress and prosper moving forward,' he said at the Iban Gawai Night for the Gawai Dayak Bazaar (GDB) 2025 at MJC Batu Kawa here last night.
The Layar assemblyman also invited the public to attend the State Gawai Dayak Open House will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching Convention (BCCK) on June 1.
He said the open house will be hosted by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Rentap also pointed out that on June 7, a grand joint Gawai Dayak-Kaamatan celebration will be held in Betong.
Tonight, the Orang Ulu community will hold the Orang Ulu Gawai Night at GDB 2025, with Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau scheduled to officiate.
GDB 2025 will end on Sunday. Dayak Gawai Dayak Bazaar Gerald Rentap Jabu Iban Gawai Night lead
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
a minute ago
- The Star
Cybersecurity demands proactive identity verification to counter AI threats
Cybersecurity is a race to outpace scammers, and secure identity verification must be at the forefront, says Jen Liang, CEO of Australia-based IDMeta Group. During the Cybersecurity Summit 2025 on Friday (July 25), Liang said artificial intelligence reshapes fraud tactics, with deepfakes posing a growing threat, making identity verification the foundation of digital trust. "Fraudsters use AI to manipulate IDs, mimic voices, and create deepfake videos, but we also use AI for fraud detection. Our biometric technology can detect deepfakes not just at onboarding but during live interactions," he said during the panel discussion titled "Digital Trust and Resilience: Strengthening Cyber Confidence in Malaysia." He highlighted cases where people unwittingly engaged with deepfakes on video calls. In 2024, a finance employee at a multinational company in Hong Kong was deceived into transferring $25mil after fraudsters used deepfake technology to impersonate the company's CFO during a video conference call. "It's really concerning. Fake meetings are being set up with deepfakes that are 85% to 95% accurate," he said. Liang said the challenge lies in staying ahead of cybercriminals and adapting faster than they do. "Cybersecurity has always been about staying one step ahead. The difference now is the tools are far more powerful for both sides." He emphasised the importance of scalable, secure identity verification in sectors like fintech and gaming. "Fintech and gaming are typically the spaces we're very much involved in. Verification is critical when onboarding customers securely and ensuring they are who they say they are. It's also key to preventing scams and fraudulent accounts, which is especially important today," he said. Operating in multiple jurisdictions, Liang acknowledged that navigating data privacy laws and compliance is one of the company's greatest challenges. "Every country has its own regulatory framework. In Australia, the privacy act is very strict." He noted that both Australia and Indonesia require in-country data servers, with no allowance for cross-border storage. "The Philippines is moving in that direction too, but they don't yet have the infrastructure to support it. Without local data centres like Google or Amazon Web Services, requiring in-country servers could overwhelm their current systems," he said. Liang added that while regulations are becoming more standardised, such as biometric validation and email screening, enforcement is key. "It's not just about laws being in place. It's about how consistently those laws are enforced." He also acknowledged Malaysia's evolving digital policy landscape. "On this trip, we've had conversations with several stakeholders here. The direction is there, but the execution and development are still maturing. It's something we're keeping a close eye on," he said. In response to a question on educating youth about cyber threats, Liang stressed the need to empower them to navigate digital ecosystems responsibly. "Young people today are far more experiential. They have broad access to information, and they're not afraid to challenge what they're told. We just need to provide them a wider scope of guidance, not control," he said. Other speakers echoed Liang's concerns, particularly around resilience and preparedness in the face of rising threats. Amal Wikramasinghe, Head of Governance Risk and Compliance - Cybersecurity and Data Privacy at Axiata Group, described how the company managed a rare and unforeseen third-party outage that impacted four of its operating companies. He emphasised the need for real-time crisis communication and damage assessment protocols. Zainol Zainuddin, CTO of NTT DATA eCommerce Solutions, warned that infrastructure resilience is only as strong as an organisation's cybersecurity culture. He highlighted how phishing, still the most common entry point for hackers, thrives in organisations where awareness is treated as a checklist, not a mindset. "Even the best technology won't protect you if your people don't know how to spot a phishing email. You have to create a blame-free, transparent culture where mistakes can be reported early," he said. Moderator Jaco Benadie, Partner, Technology Consulting – Cyber at Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn Bhd, summarised that building digital trust requires a proactive, resilient strategy that spans technology, people, and culture, while prioritising user privacy and navigating cross-border regulatory challenges.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Spear AI raises first round of funding to apply AI to submarine data
John McGunnigle, co-founder of Spear AI, stands aboard the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine USS New Hampshire, which he commanded before retiring and entering the private sector, in this undated handout image. Spear AI/Handout via REUTERS SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -A startup founded by U.S. Navy veterans aiming to help the U.S. military use artificial intelligence to decipher data gathered by submarines has raised its first round of outside capital. Washington-based Spear AI specializes in working with what is known as passive acoustic data, which is gathered by listening devices underwater. Its long-term aim is to use AI to help submarine operators understand whether an object heard could be a rain squall, a whale, or a vessel that could be a threat, and to detect where it is and how fast it is moving. The challenge isthat most existing AI tools are trained on data such as words or images that have been painstakingly labeled and organized over years or decades by companies such as Scale AI, which recently signed a $14.8-billion deal with Meta Platforms. Data from acoustic sensors is different. Spear AI co-founders Michael Hunter, a former U.S. Navy SEAL analyst, and John McGunnigle, a former nuclear submarine commander for the U.S. Navy, are building a hardware and software platform that aims to prepare that data for AI algorithms. The company sells sensors that can be attached to buoys or vessels and a software tool to help label and sort the data gathered by the sensors to make it ready to be put into AI systems. The U.S. Navy this month awarded Spear AI a $6-million contract for its data-labeling tool. Spear AI, founded in 2021, has been self-funded and has about 40 employees. Hunter, the CEO, said it raised $2.3 million from AI-focused venture firm Cortical Ventures and private equity firm Scare the Bear. The funding will be used to double the company's headcount to support its government contracts and commercial business prospects, such as monitoring underwater pipelines and cables. Hunter said Spear AI also aims to sell consulting services, a model similar to defense tech firm Palantir. "We wanted to build the product and actually get it out the door before the contract came in to get it," Hunter told Reuters. "The only way you can do that is with private capital." (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San FranciscoEditing by Rod Nickel)
Malaysian Reserve
11 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Lilly completes acquisition of Verve Therapeutics to advance one-time treatments for people with high cardiovascular risk
INDIANAPOLIS, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERV). Verve is a Boston-based clinical-stage company developing genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease. 'This acquisition unlocks the opportunity to potentially transform the treatment paradigm for millions of patients worldwide by delivering lifelong cardiovascular risk reduction with a one-and-done treatment,' said Ruth Gimeno, Lilly group vice president, Diabetes and Metabolic Research and Development. 'We are excited to welcome Verve colleagues to Lilly and work together to develop innovative genetic medicines for cardiometabolic disease.' About LillyLilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit and or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. F-LLY Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Lilly's acquisition of Verve, regarding prospective benefits of the acquisition and Verve's gene editing programs for cardiovascular disease, regarding Verve's product candidates and ongoing clinical and preclinical development, and regarding Lilly's development of programs for cardiovascular disease and advancement of cardiometabolic health medicines. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect current beliefs and expectations; however, these statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including with respect to drug research, development and commercialization, Lilly's evaluation of the accounting treatment of the acquisition and its potential impact on its financial results and financial guidance, regulatory changes and developments, the impact of global macroeconomic conditions, including trade and other global disputes and interruptions, including related to tariffs, trade protection measures, and similar restrictions, risks that the acquisition disrupts current plans and operations or adversely affect employee retention, and any legal proceedings that have been or may be instituted related to the acquisition. Actual results could differ materially due to various factors, risks and uncertainties. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that Lilly will realize the expected benefits of the acquisition, that product candidates will be approved on anticipated timelines or at all, that any products, if approved, will be commercially successful, that all or any of the contingent consideration will become payable on the terms described herein or at all, that Lilly's financial results will be consistent with its expected 2025 guidance or that Lilly can reliably predict the impact of the acquisition on its financial results or financial guidance. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Lilly's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this press release. Refer to: Ashley Hennessey; gentry_ashley_jo@ 317-416-4363 (Media) Michael Czapar; czapar_michael_c@ 317-617-0983 (Investors)
