Thank you, frontliners!

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KUCHING: The huge sacrifices made by frontliners in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic and protecting Sarawak are invaluable and will be remembered until the end of time.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the pandemic was an unexpected disaster being faced by the whole world and it was not easy to fight the invisible enemy especially with the absence of a vaccine.

“I myself have seen how Covid-19 has impacted the people whereby some were unable to visit their family member who fall victim to the virus and that they were unable to attend or give the victim a proper burial.

“Likewise, the frontliners who have to fulfil their duties in working around the clock and are unable to be with their families.

“Thus, on behalf of the state government, I would like to thank the frontliners for all the sacrifices and assistance you have made in facing Covid-19.”

He said this when officiating at the ‘Muzikal Sarawak Harmoni: Pemimpin Berjiwa Rakyat — Hati ke Hati’ programme held at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building here on Saturday night.

Abang Johari and wife Juma’ani with (from left) Asfia, Abdul Karim, Zuraini and Fatimah joining others watching the staging of “Muzikal Sarawak Harmoni: Pemimpin Berjiwa Rakyat —Hati Ke Hati”. Photo: Ramidi Subari

On the state government’s part, Abang Johari said Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) led by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas was established to assist in monitoring and dealing with the Covid-19 situation daily.

“To date, we have spent about RM80 million for SDMC’s implementation. Those who enter Sarawak would be quarantined and the costs are borne by the state government including their meals.

“This is a sacrifice that we must make but I believe it is worth it, as long as it is for the safety of Sarawak,” he added.

The ‘Muzikal Sarawak Harmoni: Pemimpin Berjiwa Rakyat — Hati ke Hati’ programme was organised by the Sarawak Arts Council (MSS) and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Abang Johari entertaining the audience by singing ‘Hati Ke Hati’ made popular by Abdullah Chik.

It featured musical performances led by Sarawak Orchestra Symphony (SONS) followed the concept of a musical journey which revolved around the Covid-19 pandemic that began in Wuhan, China.

The programme included singing performances by local artistes — Iwan Dasri, Hafizah Superdi, Nur Hijrah Yahya, Esther Tian and Ningkan Norman. Apart from singing performances, the show featured digital multimedia, dance expressions and poetry recital.

The performance also depicted Malaysia’s success in combating the pandemic, the government’s efforts in assisting the citizens, as well as how Malaysia was praised by the world’s doctors in dealing with the pandemic.

The performance was held to give appreciation and pay tribute to frontliners comprising Ministry of Health (MOH), State Health Department, Sarawak National Security Council, Royal Malaysian Police, Armed Forces, Immigration Department, Customs Department, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS), local authorities and others who were involved in combating the pandemic.

Among those attending were the chief minister’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and wife Datuk Fatimah Mohd Iskandar, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar.