15,000 cheer Adenan on Sejiwa Senada
KAPIT: The unfavourable weather that has persisted since Friday failed to dampen the spirit of more than 15,000 people converging on Kapit Sports Field for the sixth leg of the ‘Sejiwa Senada’ programme.
According to the organisers, they were merely expecting a turnout of some 10,000 for the grand opening yesterday.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem officiated at the ceremony yesterday, but not before belting out a classic number‘The Young One’ much to the delight of the audience.
He then proceeded with his witty opening remarks that were peppered with his trademark colloquial humour that triggered roars of laughter from the spectators.
Adenan and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu were accompanied to the event by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister and Kapit MP Datuk Alexander NantaLinggi,Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.
According to Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong, who is the organising chairman of the three-day carnival that kicked off on Friday, this is the largest number of spectators coming for a single event ever hosted in this district.
“There are people from Sungai Asap, Belaga, Song, Baleh, Pelagus and Bukit Goram. Even some shopkeepers make it a point to attend the grand opening (yesterday).
“It seems that despite the unfriendly weather, they’re really determined to meet the chief minister in person, and also to take part in the activities being run at the carnival.
“Additionally, they also get to visit the booths set up by 163 government departments, agencies and GLCs (government-linked companies), which are offering services and opportunities to the people of Kapit,” he told thesundaypost.
Joseph lauded the move by the government in bringing its services closer to the people, especially those in the rural areas.
“Kapit, as you know it, is a bit less developed than big areas like Kuching or Miri, where all development and facilities are in place. All these agencies have come here to bring their services closer to us, especially the services that are not readily available in Kapit.
“Moreover, participants like Labour Department and several GLCs also hold e-recruitment drives and on-the-spot interviews for job-seekers, while institutions like Mara offers education and skills-training opportunities for school-leavers and local youths.”
Joseph also hoped that the Sejiwa Senada programme could be an eye-opener for those still thinking that there was no progress in this district.
“Some critics have said this, which is not true. Look at the Kapit-Song-Kanowit Road project, which is progressing well. Those who still question about the government’s sincerity can head to the JKR (Public Works Department) booth and see for themselves the projects slated for Kapit,” he said
The carnival continues today, from 10am to 10pm, with the closing ceremony to be performed by Masing at the civic centre here. It also hosts several interesting programmes such as the ‘Kapit Kitchen’, ‘Agro Bazaar’, ‘Senamrobik’, ‘Pentas Rakyat’, folk games, ‘Bikers and Auto Show’, as well as talks on ‘Women Entrepreneurs and Family Institution’, ‘Youths – Skills and Learning Opportunities’ and ‘Kapit Community Leaders’ Development and Leadership’.
There are also many competitions being held that offer attractive prizes such as cooking competition, colouring contest for children, flower arrangement competition, and ‘Sejiwa Senada Run’.
Adenan, earlier yesterday, also announced an initial allocation of RM1 million to revive Nanga Merit, which was once declared a sub-district but has suffered a setback due to the decline in population, caused by outward migration.
“Now we want to revive it, so that people would come back.I think Kapit deserves another fullfledged sub-district, together with other districts and sub-districts that I have declared,” he said.
Adenan also announced RM5 million to replace the old piping system here.
There are people from Sungai Asap, Belaga, Song, Baleh, Pelagus and Bukit Goram. Even some shopkeepers make it a point to attend the grand opening (yesterday). — Joseph Belayong, Kapit Resident