MIRI: More than 600 guests gathered in a Grand Ballroom of Pullman Hotel here yesterday for a high tea reception in conjunction with the State-level National Day celebration. Among those present were Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife, Datin Patinggi Dato’ Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and wife, Datin Amar Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud, Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Datuk Amar Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan Hong Nam and wife, Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister for Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus, Assistant Minister for Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, state ministers and local community leaders.
With the theme of ‘Sayangi Malaysiaku’ (Love My Malaysia), the high tea reception was held in a moderate manner.
Upon the arrival of Abang Johari and his entourage at 9.30am, the reception began with the singing of the national anthem, Negaraku followed by State anthem, Ibu Pertiwiku. Speaking during the reception, Abang Johari said that the State government will continue to work with the new Federal government under the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to safeguard the interest of Sarawakians.
“The State government is hoping for the Federal government’s seriousness to develop Sarawak, especially its infrastructure development and solution to rebuild or refurbish dilapidated schools in the State. “We hope for the Federal government’s concern over development in the State as it will further cultivate the loyalty of Sarawakians towards Malaysia in line with the theme of this year’s National Day celebration,” he said.
Abang Johari added that this year marked the 55th year that Sarawak has been with Malaysia, hence, the State will continue to pursue development to ensure the people of Sarawak enjoy basic amenities and infrastructures.
“This year, I have allocated RM2 billion to solve water shortage problems across the State and RM5 billion since taking over the State’s government leadership for construction of roads, bridges and other projects so that people live a more comfortable life especially those in the rural areas,” he said. He added that the State government will continue in its efforts to fight for the State’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“Recently, the Oil and Mining Ordinance (1958) has been amended to strengthen the State’s government regulatory functions on its oil and gas industry, downstream and upstream,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, 30 dancers from ‘Bangkit Berinspirasi’ performed the welcoming dance which reflected the unity and harmony of the people in Sarawak followed by a video presentation. The event concluded with Abang Johari placing a heart shape replica, reflecting the unity and harmony of various ethnic groups in Sarawak celebrating National Day.
