Thumbs up to organisers of "Taste of Borneo Carnival"

Well done and congratulations to the organizers of the recent “Taste of Borneo Carnival” held in Miri which had received overwhelming response from our folks and also those who came from other parts of Sarawak. The organizers had also succeeded in having participants from abroad including a dance group from Sabah and Jakarta, Indonesia who had met me at the closing of the event held last Saturday.

Thumbs up also to the organizers for having successfully organised the "Most Ethnic Crafts Displayed In An Event" program which had featured dozens of participants at the exhibition booths and had entered the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR). Over 10,000 visitors had attended the first night of the annual event held at the parking lot of the Boulevard commercial centre in Miri.

The cultural street parade was also held in conjunction with the event was participated 500 people, comprising members of 20 ethnic associations. The event had entered its third edition and it was the first time the Miri divisional level inter-secondary school cultural dance competition was being organised in conjunction with this year’s carnival. Through the event, our younger generation especially students can gain a deeper understanding and respect for Sarawak’s diverse cultural heritage, while at the same time gain valuable social interaction and teamwork spirit.

Sarawak's "Unity Bridge" officially launched and goes into Malaysia's Book of Records

We had a brief visit to Miri last Saturday's afternoon for the official launching of Miri’s Unity Bridge that was graced by our Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg.

The bridge had also entered the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for having engravings of over 70 unique greetings that represented various ethnic dialects found in Sarawak.

The bridge, built in connection with the ‘Taste of Borneo Festival’, is described as a powerful symbol of the state’s unity and cultural diversity. It is located at Taman Bulatan Park and will serve as a good testament to the spirit of unity in diversity in Sarawak which has 34 different types of ethnicities.

It took six months to design and construct the unity bridge with the engravings are the greeting ‘How are you?’, translated in over 70 ethnic dialects. The design itself was inspired by the traditional bamboo bridge, which can be found in most rural areas in Borneo. It serves to symbolise the connection among all the ethnic groups as we all live together ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (United in Moving Forward) spirit.

It was also a good representation of collaboration amongst members from the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Melanau, Orang Ulu, Bidayuh, Kedayan and other communities.

The inauguration of the completed upgrade of Darul Iman Mosque in Sadong Jaya sub district.

We had the privilege to accompany the right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg for the inauguration of the completed upgrade of Darul Iman Mosque in Sadong Jaya sub district. 

Alhamdullilah, we had also performed the Friday prayers together with the local community here. Among our state cabinet ministers who were also present were YB Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi who is Sarawak's Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications and also a Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Sebuyau; YB Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak and also State Assemblyman for Sadong Jaya; YB Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister of Utilities and Communications, and Islamic Affairs; YB Datuk Rubiah Haji Wang, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Member of Parliament for P197 Kota Samarahan as well as YB Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak State Secretary and other dignitaries including YB Dato' Fazzrudin Haji Abdul Rahman who is Chief Political Secretary to Sarawak’s Premier.

In his speech, our Premier had mentioned that the local folks of Samarahan can look forward to upgraded electricity supply from single-phase to three-phase in their homes soon. This is because our government had commited over RM150 million to enhance the electricity grid network in the region. 

Our premier had also shared on how the quality of life has progressed, with households now using more modern electrical appliances compared to the past when our folks were cautious about using just a cloth iron, so our homes only had single-phase electricity, as we only needed to power a refrigerator and an iron. 

He further emphasised that the upgrading of electricity supply is crucial as more households are now using high-powered appliances which require better electricity supply and no more experiencing power trips.

Latest development on “Sarawak My Malaysia 2nd Home (S-MM2H)” programme

It gave us great pleasure to announce that our Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) has been empowered by Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) via a letter dated 2 July 2024, Ref. No: MOTAC.600-2/1/60 JLD.3 (14) concerning the local tourism business license on the “Sarawak My Malaysia 2nd Home (S-MM2H)” under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482) to delegate its power to MTCP.

I have made the official announcement during the press conference on this matter held at our office recently and this had represented a significant achievement for MTCP in further expanding the functionality of the current S-MM2H One Stop Center not only to the extent of processing applications but also the licensing of S-MM2H agents. Alhamdullilah, such development augurs well in the enhancement of SMMH Application Programme that has been improved in many ways to comply with the Federal Government's MOTAC's renewal requirements for the Federal's "Malaysia My Second Home"

(MM2H) program as well as. 

I had also thanked our media friends who had attended the press conference which had served to notify all those involved in the SMM2H program and industry partners. They were also keen interest on the impacts of this latest development which will enable the programme to be run more smoothly.

Another job well done for organisers of this year's "What About Kuching" (WAK) festival

Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all strategic partners as well as supporters of the recent successful staging of 6th edition “What About Kuching” event or more locally popularly known as “WAK”.  It goes without saying that the event had been going strong over the years due to the unwavering support from all parties involved including the volunteers too.

Kudos to the founders and their supportive team members who had tirelessly worked hard to make WAK grow from strength to strength despite facing challenges. I have thanked them for having invited me and my wife to grace their appreciation dinner that celebrated another successful staging of the annual colourful event that has “by the community, for the community” tag line.

In my speech, I have mentioned that the encouraging response for this year's event was testament to the success of this wonderful festival platform that had brightened up not only Kuching city but also when it was staged in Sibu and Miri.

The growth of this exciting event is also the result of the organisers' clear mission and objectives and the careful planning, hard work and dedication by their team of volunteers and supporters from both the public as well as private sector.