Attending the "Majlis Santunan Kasih Ramadan" at Masjid Darul Hana in Kampung SEbandi Matang, Asajaya

I was recently invited to attend the “Majlis Santunan Kasih Ramadan” which was held at Masjid Darul Hana in Kampung Sebandi Matang Asajaya, Samarahan. The function was organised by the Federal Ministry of Rural and Regional Development and the Deputy Minister, YB Dato Hajah Rubiah Haji Wang was the guest of honour for the event. 

During the function, we handed over donations to children from less fortunate families in Asajaya including those studying at the local madrasah tahfiz. We also had the break of fast together and performed the Maghrib and Isyak prayers before proceeding to the Terawih prayers.

Over 5,000 of our folks joined "Juh Berambeh Sungkei" programme at Padang Merdeka, Kuching

The response towards the inaugural "Juh Berambeh Sungkei" programme held at Padang Merdeka in Kuching was overwhelming with over 5,000 of our city folks had turned up to support the event. It is basically having our break of fast together in the outdoor and it turned up to be a crowd puller among city folks who brought along their family members and friends.

I commended the organisers for the event which include Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED), Kuching Resident Office, the Satok branch of Sarawak United National Youth Organization (SABERKAS) and Persatuan Marhabbah Kuching. There were suggestions from our city folks for similar events to be held in the near future and I certainly support that.

  

Joining our local folks in Asajaya for break of fast and prayers at Masjid An-Najah

I had the opportunity to perform Maghrib and Isyak prayers with our local folks at Masjid An-Najah in Asajaya recently. We also performed the Terawih prayers together and had moreh  which is the local term for late supper later after that. Alhamdullilah the congregation were encouraging and had consisted of the local youths too. It had shown how much they are observing the holy month of Ramadan and I thanked the Asajaya District Office and Jabatan Agama Islam Sarawak (JAIS) for having jointly organised the event which was carried out in conjunction with the distribution of "Bubur Lambuk" by the Sarawak branch of Malaysia Anti-Drugs Organization (PEMADAM).

Sarawak will not adopt Putrajaya’s concert guidelines

Sarawak government will not adopt the Federal government’s new guidelines for foreign artistes who are keen to perform locally because we already have our own set of guidelines for concerts.

But, of course, we do not want to see foreign artistes performing naked on stage. There are certain rules that they have to follow, but we have to be flexible. I have mentioned to our media friends on past occasion where two foreign artistes who took part in last year’s Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak would not have been allowed to perform in other states because of their attire and performance. There will be no way for them to get a permit if they were to perform in Kuala Lumpur, but we had allowed it. Such situation had reflected the independence or autonomy that we have here in Sarawak, we can make our own decisions.”

I was interviewed by our media friends on the concerns raised stakeholders in the entertainment industry on impacts of the new guidelines for concerts which will come into effect in 2024. It prohibits foreign artistes from holding large concerts and live performances on the eve of Islamic public holidays and on the holiday itself.

The prohibition also covers the entire month of Ramadan, Awal Muharram, Maulidur Rasul, Israk Mikraj, Nisfu Sya’ban, Nuzul Quran, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha. Male foreign artistes are also prohibited from cross-dressing as women, and both male and female foreign acts are strictly not allowed from removing any clothing during their performance.

Defending Malaysia's Ministry of Youth and Sports "Jom Ziarah Gereja" programme

I have expressed my personal views on the recent controversy over the "Jom Ziarah Gereja" programme which organised by Malaysia's Ministry of Youth and Sports in which it is a noble effort. It was good for the people of different religions and backgrounds where they can understand the faith of others. 

I have come to the defence of our Federal Youth and Sports Minister, YB Hannah Yeoh because she had good intentions of promoting harmony and tolerance especially among young Malaysians. It was a shame that her intentions had been misconstrued by others as an attempt to convert the Muslims.

I think we do not have that problem in Sarawak. A lot of us, including myself, go to mission schools, and we can understand each other. I even took up Scripture in Form Five. Bible Knowledge was one of the subjects that I took. It does not make me less Muslim, it does not convert me or make me leave my religion.

Don't tell me Muslims are so low in understanding or in their faith, that when you bring them to a church they would convert. As a Muslim, I feel ashamed with people like this coming up with 'masuk ziarah gereja, terus terpikat' (visit a church, be captivated immediately). To me, YB Yeoh's detractors had likely made their claims for political mileage.