Promoting our local artists and boosting creative industry through "Mercure Mural Fest & Arts Conference 2025" in Miri

The organising of the inaugural “Mercure Mural Fest and Arts Conference 2025” at Mercure Hotel in Miri on June 4 to 14 was much welcomed and commendable because it will promote our tourism attraction particularly in the Northern Region. I had the pleasure to have represented our right honourable Premier of Sarawak for the official opening ceremony held at Mercure Hotel in Miri. 

During the opening ceremony, I have commended the organisers for having attracted numerous entries for the event which had the theme "Beyond Art: Evolving in 50 Years,”. The event which involve global artists, the special needs community, and local residents is showcasing large-scale murals, installations, artist takeovers, talks, workshops, and rooftop parties. The staging of event which aims to envision Miri's future through arts has provided another good platform for our local artists and arts lovers to meet up in getting the latest updates of the arts scene.  

The Sarawak government is keen and committed to supporting the funding, infrastructure, and policy development that will nurture local mural artists and the growing creative industry, aiming to leave a lasting public arts legacy on the global stage and for our future generations to come.

The organising of the event in Miri is a good way of recognising the powerful impacts of mural art in revitalising the city and promoting cultural narratives through artistic impressions that aim to transforms blank walls into lively expressions of heritage, creativity and imagination. Indirectly it is able to ignite our local folks sense of pride and belonging while attracting visitors, and boosting the creative economy, benefiting both artists and related businesses alike.

Welcoming the organising of "WAK Miri Festival" at Miri Handicrafts Centre

I had opportunity to visit the Miri Handicrafts Centre in Jalan Brooke, Miri over the weekend to catch a glimpse of the "WAK Miri Festival" which is on from June 13 to 15. The community driven event is now entering its second edition and is aimed to transform the northern city into a stage for Sarawak’s diverse artistic talents. 

During my brief visit there, I had commended the organisers for having attracted the participation of our local creative community members in the various activities which include a dynamic mix of exhibitions, live music, theatre, workshops and cultural showcases,.

I have also assured our Sarawak's government support through the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) which will empower the local creatives and to celebrate Miri’s growing cultural scene. 

Among the exciting line up of programmes featured in this year's WAK Miri Festival include a visual arts exhibition inspired by natural themes; Music Portal, where local bands and musicians perform live; and "Emily of Emerald Hill", a solo theatre performance of the iconic Peranakan monodrama being staged in Miri for the first time. 

Another exciting aspect of the festival also includes a "Creative Marketplace" showcasing Sarawakian craftsmanship, lifestyle products and local culinary favourites. Across the city, workshops and fringe activities in storytelling, heritage crafts and movement arts are engaging our local communities and visitors alike.

Giving caution to those who may cause confusion among our kampung folks in rural areas and city outskirts

I have voiced out my concerns over a  sacrificial Qurban ritual which was conducted prematurely at Kampung Asajaya Laut ahead of Hari Raya Aidiladha. The organisers for the event had shown lack of proper knowledge on such Islamic Qurban guidelines and such actions may cause confusion among our local folks in outskirts of the city.

I have strongly mentioned that proper Islamic practices related to Qurban must be adhered and we must always strictly follow syariah guidelines, which permit the ritual only after Aidiladha prayers and during the three designated Tasyrik days. 

This is because the animals meant for Qurban namely cows, goats, and camels—can only be slaughtered after the Aidiladha prayers. The act must fall within the three-day period known as "Days of Tasyrik". If the slaughter is done before that, even with good intentions, it is not considered a Qurban. The meat from such a slaughter is like any ordinary meat given out during the year—it carries no religious reward specific to the Qurban ritual.

I was made aware of the early slaughter carried out by the State Development Office (SDO) which is a federal government body in the village two days before Aidiladha. I have stressed on the importance of consulting religious authorities before planning such programmes. “If we are unsure, we should ask those who are well-versed in religious matters. 

I have urged others not to make assumptions because our kampung folks in villages may not fully understand the significance of the Qurban period and could be misled, While acknowledging that acts of giving are commendable, he cautioned organisers against associating them with religious rituals unless they are conducted in full compliance with Islamic law. 

Donating meat to the community is always encouraged and can be done anytime. But don’t do it so close to Aidiladha that it may creates confusion. If it’s not Qurban, don’t make it appear as such. I have also reminded local folk not to politicise the distribution of korban meat, emphasising that recipients are determined based on Islamic guidelines, not political affiliation. 

We usually refer to lists of the Asnaf group members that are provided by the village or mosque committees to identify who among the villagers are eligible. I have cautioned against the tendency to associate Qurban distribution with political figures, stressing that the practice should remain strictly religious.

Number of needy Asnaf group in Kampung Sebandi Matang, Asajaya had decreased

I was delighted with the fact that the number of our needy folks from the Asnaf group in Kampung Sebandi Matang, Asajaya had decreased to 32 people only. This was mentioned during the handing over the sacrificial Qurban meat held in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidil Adha celebration held at Kampung Sebandi Matang this morning. 

Hence, there were not many of our needy folks who attended the function and I had commended the community at Kampung Sebandi Matang and its vicinities for working together with our Asajaya District Officer and Kota Samarahan Resident Office in identifying those in the Asnaf group.  Earlier our member of parliament for Kota Samarahan, Datuk Hajah Rubiah Haji Wang had also spoken during the function and I had thanked her for having taken the time to be with us at the handing over ceremony.

Having a busy weekend at Asajaya district in conjunction with distribution of Qurban meat to our needy folks

I had a busy weekend and this morning had attended the handing over of “daging qurban” to members of Asnaf group residing at several villages in Asajaya district of Kota Samarahan. Also present was Datuk Rubiah Haji Wang, the member of parliament for Kota Samarahan together with local community leaders. For this year’s Hari Raya Qurban, a total of 14 heads of livestock were allocated for the 479 Asnaf group members identified by Asajaya District Office and Kota Samarahan Resident Office.

The first handing over function we had yesterday morning was at Masjid Darul Ehsan in Kampung Asajaya Ulu where we distributed the meat to 69 of our needy folks there. In my brief speech, I have mentioned for the need for the general public to take care of our needy folks through community related activities that involve donations and support to the less fortunate. Having performed the sacrificial Qurban practices and distributing the meat to the less fortunate is part of celebrating Hari Raya Aidil Adha that must strictly follow Islamic Syariah guidelines. 

I have also thanked both the Asajaya District Office and Kota Samarahan Resident Office for having worked together with the local community leaders in identifying our needy folks as well as ensuring the handing over of the sacrificial Qurban meat went smoothly according to plan. 

Attending the Hari Raya Aidil Adha prayers together with our leaders and folks at Masjid Jamek in Petra Jaya, Kuching

This morning we had joined our local folks for the Hari Raya Aidil Adha prayers held at the Masjid Jamek in Petra Jaya together with Sarawak’s Head of State, Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who was accompanied by the right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg as well as Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Fadillah Yusof. 

Fine weather was smiling at us and together we witnessed the sacrifice of a cow at the mosque’s compound while the Head of State also presented donations of the Qurban meat to our needy folks from the Asnaf group. Our congregation was reminded that the act of sacrifice is not just a religious Islamic ritual but also as a way for Muslims to reflect on the importance of faith, piety, and charity. The Qurban meat from the sacrificed animal is often shared with the poor and needy, fostering social solidarity among the Muslim community. 

This year's Aidil Adha celebration in Kuching City is being held on modest scale but the lively atmosphere is still commendable simply because most of local folks are still on their long festive holidays since the Gawai Dayak and birthday of our Yang DiPertuan Agong were on from June 1 to 4.