Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – To honor Hara Gawai Dayak, a thanksgiving day that marks a bountiful harvest celebrated by Dayak people in Sarawak, Malaysia, oil and gas company Petronas has launched a web film titled ‘Manik Panik’, which explores themes of joy and togetherness.
Petronas deems to be the country’s leading gas infrastructure and centralized utilities company and one of the largest companies on the local bourse in terms of market capitalization, with core businesses in gas processing, gas transportation, and LNG regasification, as well as utilities.
The story of the ‘Manik Panik’ film is set in a longhouse on Gawai Dayak Eve, featuring an unsolved mystery that has befallen the community when a beaded necklace belonging to the Gawai Festival’s chief is found broken.
With no one coming forward, Detective Gerunung takes it upon himself to discover the truth. He sets off on a learning and discovery journey with the help of his friends to fix the broken necklace in time for the chief to wear it for the Gawai kick-off ceremony.
The new web film also showcases various Dayak cultural objects and accessories such as gerunung (bell worn around the ankles) headgear, beads, and terabai (warrior’s shield).
‘Manik Panik’ is now available for viewing on Petronas’ official YouTube channel and Facebook page. In addition to the web film, the company has also launched ‘Manik Panik’ stickers for WhatsApp to further spread joy this festive season.
Petronas’ Senior General Manager of Group Strategic Communications Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz said, “Petronas is pleased to have produced a web film as special and meaningful as ‘Manik Panik’, in celebration of Hari Gawai Dayak. From our unique family to yours, we send a festive greeting of happiness and hope, and a reminder of the importance of coming together as one.”
Just recently, Petronas’ short animated film titled ‘Syukur Raya’ has been included in the top 10 list of Hari Raya ads by YouTube Malaysia.
