MUKAH: About 10,000 people from all walks of life thronged Taman Kala Dana here yesterday to witness the official opening of Mukah Kaul 2017 by the Head of State (TYT), Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Upon arrival at the venue, Tun Pehin Sri Taib and wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajah Ragad Kurdi Taib, were accorded a Melanau welcoming dance by the finalists of the Beauty Pageant (Teluwaih Jinih) and local community leaders who donned Melanau costumes.
They were received at the VVIP table near the main stage by the president of the Federation of Melanau Associations of Sarawak (FMAS) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Toyad, who is also Member of Parliament for Mukah and the event’s main organising committee chairman.
Also present were Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, Assistant Minister for Workforce Development and Training Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh, Tellian State Assemblymen Yussibnosh Balo, Balingian State Assemblyman Abdul Yakub Haji Arbi, Chief Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Abdullah Saidol, Member of Parliament for Igan Datuk Hajah Norah Abdul Rahman, Jemoreng State Assemblyman Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, Daro State Assemblyman Safiee Ahmad and Mukah Resident Awang Johari Awang Mustapha.
In his speech at the event, His Excellency considered Sarawak was on the right track to achieve a developed state status.
He said the synergy of the people and the leaders would be vital in placing the state at its greatest height.
“With the good policy adopted by the government, we can become a developed state within the next five years or so; we are very near to achieve it now. Hence, the government and the people should be in rhythm, especially with the very high expectation of the people, particularly among the educated young generations who are exposed to modernisation,” he said.
