KUCHING: He maybe the state’s No. 1 politician and that makes his schedule a hectic one.
But that does not stop Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to make time visiting leaders of the local Indian community on Deepavali.
“Sarawak is special. We are unique people. We grow up into a culture where festivals are celebrated by everybody, so what I do today is really something very natural…very normal in our society,” he said to reporters as he prepared to start his round of Deepavali visits.
“I’d like to take this opportunity, on behalf of my family as well as the people, to wish the Indian community Happy Deepavali.
“We hope that this coming Deepavali will bring prosperity and unity to all of us so that we can move forward to contribute to the development of the state,” he said as he walked to a waiting hydrogen-powered Hyundai sports utility vehicle.
According to his aide, the chief minister’s first stop would be the residence of Penghulu Paliani Samba Bilaidom @ Lucy Lingam, the community leader for the Indian community in Kuching.
At Lucy’s home, the chief minister gave the fried Kerala fish specially prepared for him by Lucy a 10-out-of-10.
Accompanying him were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Children Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah; and Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion.
