Sri Aman to host state-level Agong’s birthday celebration
KUCHING: Sri Aman will be the host of Sarawak-level official birthday celebration of the Yang di- Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V on Sept 8 and 9 this year.
Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the celebration would begin with a thanksgiving prayer at Masjid Bandar Sri Aman, scheduled to commence at 6.30pm on Sept 8.
The guests- of-honour are Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Pattinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, who would be joined by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang.
“More than 1,000 locals will attend the prayer as well. Among the activities at the mosque are the Maghrib and Isya prayers, the recital of Surah Yassin, ‘zikir marhaban’ and a thanksgiving prayer,” she told reporters at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
Assistant Minister of Community Wellbeing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Sri Aman Resident Indit Bangai and Protocol and Event Management for State Events director Azlan Ali Badri were also present.
“The next morning ( Sept 9) will be the highlight of the celebration, where a high tea reception will be held at Hotel Sri Simanggang to be graced by the Head of State.
“The Chief Minister and his cabinet ministers, together with their spouses, are invited to the reception,” added Fatimah.
There would also be a traditional welcoming ceremony, as well as special cultural and songs presentations, to be coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports.
Sultan Muhammad V is the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He was proclaimed Sultan of Kelantan on Sept 13, 2010 and later, as the Yang di- Pertuan Agong on Dec 13, 2016.
The event would also witness Taib presenting hampers and cash donations to the underprivileged members of community, including the longhouse fire victims in Lingga, Pantu and Engkilili.
“The donations are from the Welfare Department. Each household, or door, affected by fire will receive RM5,000 worth of building materials,” said Fatimah.
Taib would also officiate at the opening of a three- day pictorial exhibition entitled ‘Raja Kita’ (Our King), coordinated by Sarawak Information Department, on the lobby floor of Hotel Sri Simanggang.
The exhibition would be open to the public from 2pm onwards on Sept 9; and from 9am daily, from Sept 10 to 11.
“It is a good opportunity for the public, especially students, to gain knowledge about our King. The exhibition displays more than 30 photos of our King,” Fatimah said.
The exhibition would also feature the traditions and customs of Istana Negara, and also the coronation ceremony.
Visitors stand a chance to win attractive prizes by taking part in a quiz, run by Sarawak Information Department.
More than 1,000 locals will attend the prayer as well. Among the activities at the mosque are the Maghrib and Isya prayers, the recital of Surah Yassin, ‘zikir marhaban’ and a thanksgiving prayer. Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development