Korean reality series captures Sarawak tourism attractions, Hari Raya festivities
KUCHING: The Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration here would not be complete without attending a Hari Raya open house, a unique Malaysian tradition that brings people together regardless of race and religion.
For State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, this year’s Hari Raya was no doubt a memorable one as he welcomed special guests from South Korea at his annual open house on the first day of Hari Raya.
The guests, comprising South Korean artistes and a television crew from Korean Broadcasting System ( KBS), were there to film for an upcoming reality show that will be broadcasted in South Korea.
“Theyarehere todo arealityshow that’s similar to popular South Korean variety show Running Man and they will be filming Sarawak tourism attractions and the many interesting places here including the golf course.
“The show will be an eightepisode show, each about 30 to 40 minutes long promoting Sarawak,” he told reporters when met at his open house at Jalan Bunga Kasturi, Kampung Pinang Jawa in Petra Jaya here on Sunday.
Morshidi said the visit by the artistes and crew during the Hari Raya celebration presented an opportunity for them to witness the hospitable culture of Sarawakians.
“They have been here for the past week and have visited many places of interest.”
Asked if he was informed beforehand that his open house would be featured in the reality show, Morshidi said he had actually met with the film crew two months ago.
“They came to see me two months ago before the appointment of our new Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister (Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah).
“At the time, our Chief Minister ( Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg) was also the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister so we had a discussion about it and he agreed (to the filming),” he explained.
During the filming, Abang Johari and his wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang as well as Abdul Karim and his wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar were also featured on the show where they had a chat on Kuching and Malaysian culture with the artistes.
Earlier, Morshidi and his wife Puan Sri Datin Amar Saptuyah Suib welcomed guests to their residence.
Among them were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and his wife Datin Amar Doreen Mayang, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and his wife Datin Sri Pauline Leong, Rural Electricity and Water Supply Minister Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Assistant Minister of Water Supply Liwan Lagang, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Snowdan Lawan, Deputy State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) Speaker Dato Gerawat Gala and his wife Datin Esther Balan Gala, and former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and his wife Datin Patinggi Tan Sri Empiang Jabu.
Members of the public were also welcomed at his open house from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday and they were treated to a sumptuous buffet as well as thirst- quenching cendol to cool down from the hot weather.