Villagers perform ‘Zikir and Tepung Tawar’ ceremony on Awang Tengah
LAWAS: Villagers of Kampung Dato in Kuala Lawas here performed the Malay traditional ‘ Zikir and Tepung Tawar’ ceremony to seek blessings on their ‘son’ Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who was recently promoted as Deputy Chief Minister.
The ceremony was held yesterday at Awang Tengah’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at the village, which was attended by over 1,500 villagers and visitors.
The ceremony was conducted by community leaders and among those present were Awang Tengah’ wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud; Lawas MP and Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Henry Sum Agong and wife Datin Tunong Palong; and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) Bukit Sari deputy chairman Awangku Jinal Abidin Pengiran Jawa.
When met at the function, Awangku Jinal said the open house was a symbol of harmony and racial unity as it was attended by people of various races and religions apart from family members, relatives and well-wishers from other parts of the state, Sabah and Brunei.
“We are thankful for being able to live harmoniously in Malaysia, particularly in Lawas in northern Sarawak where there is continued unity and racial harmony.
“We need to uphold this long established harmony and unity so the people could continue to enjoy the fruits of development,” he said.
Besides having Hari Raya open house at Kampung Dato, Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, also held a two- day open house at Hotel Seri Malaysia which drew thousands of people from all walks of life.