Successful staging of 2024 PARA Sukma and Malaysia Games 2024 (SUKMA2024)

With successful staging of the 21st edition of PARA Sukma and Malaysia Games 2024 (SUKMA2024), Sarawak had shown its capabilities and readiness to host bigger sporting events which will be the 2027 Southeast Asia Games (ASEAN Games 2027) and ASEAN PARA Games (APG) 2027.

Sarawak's success in staging the nation's largest sporting events had also received nothing but praises from people all over including the Federal Government and Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia (KBS) which had given us the nod to co-host the forthcoming ASEAN Games and ASEAN Para Games (APG) 2027.

We thank the trust given by the Federal Government and KBS in giving Sarawak the opportunity to gain valuable experience for the organization of larger sporting events which will be the pride of every Malaysian and especially among our local folks. 

In this year's edition of PARA Sukma, Sarawak had wrested back the overall champion's title from Sabah and our OKU athletes had bagged a total of 82 gold, 52 silver and 74 bronze medals. Our athletes had also set 71 new games' records and had rewritten 22 new national records in the week long PARA Sukma which started on September 22 and ended on 28.

The closing ceremony was held at at Sarawak Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya, Kuching and it was graced by our Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, YB Puan Hannah Yeoh.

Great start to "Malaysia Madani Rakyat" launching

Today I attended at the opening ceremony of the “Malaysia Madani Rakyat 2024” event which was graced by the right honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was accompanied by Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg. The event was held at the carpark of Boulevard Shopping Complex in Miri and it attended by thousands of our local folks including members of the Federal as well as Sarawak Government Cabinets.

In his welcoming speech, our esteemed Premier had welcomed the arrival of our Prime Minister and his entourage to Miri. He also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support of the program from the Federal Government through the esteemed office of Dato Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusuf, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) and the Sarawak government. 

The Prime Minister in his opening speech had mentioned the purpose of this event was to bring the Federal and Sarawak Government closer to our local folks in Sarawak. He commended the rapid development that is happening in Sarawak and lauded the continuous support given to our leaders led by the right honourable Premier of Sarawak. According to him, the peace and harmony in Sarawak is exemplary simply because the local folks can live side by side despite the differences in ethnicities, culture and religious background.

Good response to this year's Al-Quran recitation competition for Asajaya district level

I have congratulated the organizers of this year's Al-Quran recitation competition for Asajaya district level which had attracted 32 participants including our local youths. The event was jointly organised by the Asajaya District Office together with the Islamic Religious Office of the Samarahan Division, JKK Kpg Tambirat Lot and Darul Rahmah Mosque Committee members from Kampung Tambirat Lot.

As the state assemblyman for N15 Asajaya constituency, I had also praised the organizing of this annual event which is meaningful to the Muslim community in this area including our young folks who had participated alongside with the elders. The event is also a testament of unity and solidarity of the Ummah that we have achieved together. 

Colourful opening ceremony of the 21st Para Malaysia Games (Para SukmaXXI)

We had witnessed the official opening ceremony of the 21st Para Malaysia Games (Para SukmaXXI) Sarawak 2024 which was held at Sarawak State Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya, Kuching and it was graced by our Head of State, His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.

Also present during the event were the right honourable Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who was accompanied by his Deputy, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and Federal's Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Puan Hannah Yeoh.

The evening's program had swept the audience with a palpable sense of patriotism, excitement and inclusivity for a memorable night to remember. The various troupes who performed impressive martial arts displays had mesmerised the audience who were feted with the melodies from traditional music instruments resonated throughout the stadium.

The stunning fireworks display that evening had also received the attention of our local folks who had watched the evening's program that was broadcasted "live" on several popular social media channels including those by TVS and Unit Komunikasi Awam Sarawak (UKAS).

Praises to the organising of "Sarawak International Band and Orchestra Festival 2024" (SIBO2024)

We have praised the organisers of "Sarawak International Band and Orchestra Festival 2024 (SIBOFest)" for the  success staging of the event that had attracted participation from outside the state include Japan, Singapore and West Malaysia.

I was invited to the event's finale gala which was held at Sarawak State Legislative building in Petra Jaya, Kuching and had represented our right honourable Premier of Sarawak as well as delivering his speech.  

Our esteemed premier had commended the organisers for having organised the event that highlighted band and orchestra music which can become the unifying power in fostering global friendships and cultural exchanges. Thus, the festival's themed "Music, Culture, and Friendship" had served as a platform for cultural exchange and collaboration, bringing together musicians from around the world. 

It is heartening to note that various music development workshops and interesting activities were held including the "Collaborative Mural Art" project and "Community Kamek" which served to provide valuable learning experiences and to forged bond among the young participants. 

Also present during the event's finale gala were his excellency Bapak Raden Sigit Witjaksono, the Consul General of Indonesia in Sarawak, and his wife Ibu Lucy Octavia, as well as his excellency Mr Eguchi Takayoshi, the Second Secretary/ Consul of the Japanese Consular Office in Sabah.

Another successful staging of "Sibujaya Water Fiesta" at Sibujaya new township in Sibu

I have congratulated Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) and Amcorp Sibujaya Son Phd for having organised the third edition of “Sibujaya Water Fiesta” which was held over the weekend at Sibujaya new township in Sibu. They had invited me to grace the launching ceremony and it was heartening to see thousands of our local folks bringing along their family members and friends to join the fun-filled event. It was held in conjunction with the Sibujaya Carnival, which is on September 13 to 29.

In my opening speech, I have announced that our Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) will continue lending its support to ensure the much anticipated Sibujaya Water Fiesta will remain an annual event. Personally, we loved to see the organising of this festival that brings both old and young folks together. 

I was informed by the organisers that people from Sibu and its vicinities who had also came to take part in the event. I think this will bring benefits to the local communities and strengthen the family institution in a way, as families can come out for family bonding. And for our entrepreneurs, it is good for their businesses because there are a lot of people here,

The fiesta is interesting as it is the only one in Sarawak and is quite similar to the world-famed Songkran Water Festival in Thailand. I have congratulated the organisers for the  programme’s success, and this year’s event was the best and more organised compared to previous years.

Giving the thumbs up to 10th Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF)

I have congratulated the organisers of the 10th Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF) for having attracted keen response from cultural and contemporary dance troupes from all Malaysia as well as from abroad.

I had also commended the efforts by the organising committee led by Hornland Theatre group for organising the dance event the past 10 years as part of Sibu's calendar of tourism attractions. Despite having experienced heavy downpour during the opening ceremony last night, our folks in Sibu had thronged the Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang to watch the various dances and cultural performances.

The SIDF had received support from Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) and the organisers had invited me to grace the opening ceremony which was also attended by Datuk Snowdan Lawan, our Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts as well as local dignitaries.

Spending good time at Sarawak Cultural Village during the weekend

The recent weekend and September 16 Malaysia Day holidays had given our local folks the opportunity to unwind and many had visited the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong which had its free entrance promotion. Despite the long queue and traffic jam along the road at Pantai Damai, Santubong our folks had persevered and obliged to the arrangements set upon by the authorities there.

I was also at the Sarawak Cultural Village as the guest of honour for the official opening ceremony of the 39th National Chinese Cultural Festival which was participated by 1,000 delegates from various associations throughout Malaysia.

I was also glad to have met so many friends and new acquaintances there while visiting a number of interesting spots including spending almost an hour at the Chinese village house which had undergone renovation works recently.