Maulidur Rasul do in Bintulu hosts 6,000 participants
BINTULU: Around 6,000 people converged on Bintulu Esplanade yesterday – some as early as 6am – to take part in the annual Maulidur Rasul procession.
This time, the parade gathered 90 contingents which were divided into seven categories – A (Preschools and Primary Schools), B ( Secondary Schools and Institutions of Higher Learning), C (Mosques and Suraus), D (Sarawak Government Departments and Agencies), E ( Federal Government Departments and Agencies), F (Statutory Bodies and Government-Linked Companies), and G ( Clubs, Associations and Organisations).
Present at the event were Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip and his wife Datin Dr Zaleha Abdullah, Bintulu Resident Jack Aman Luat and his deputy Hussaini Hakim, Bintulu District Officer Mataip Sayu, Sarawak Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) officers Azhar Hipni and Wan Sulaiman Wan Maulana, and local community leader Temenggong Rosli Kamaruddin.
In his opening remarks, Talib – also Jepak assemblyman – regarded Malaysians as being blessed as they are able to live in peace and harmony.
“What strengthens the people is none other than unity.
“Unity and stability, plus respect for one another, can strengthen the nation. It is also the factor behind Malaysians gaining respect from their counterparts in other countries.
“It is important for us to promote our politeness and highdiscipline, towards empowering our country,” he said.
Talib also took the opportunity to remind the people to be careful in obtaining and sharing all kinds of information from social media.
“Some parties have been using it (social media) to express their feelings and dissatisfactions with harsh words without thinking about other people’s feelings. This spoils the essence of politeness, which we are always known for,” he said.
Meanwhile Azhar, who was the chairman of the divisionlevel Maulidur Rasul organising committee, viewed this year’s theme ‘ Menyantuni Umat Membawa Rahmat’ ( Being Compassionate, Will Bring In Blessings) as being ‘ very appropriate’.
“It is for us to observe the message advocating us to respect one another, to avoid conflicts, and also to be united regardless of race, religion and political ideology.
“Living in a multi- cultural nation like Malaysia, we must be extra careful in terms of making statements that might touch the sensitivity of other parties in a wrong way,” he said.
Later, Talib presented the ‘Outstanding Model Student’ awards to Awangku Haziq Fadli Awangku Masparbu, Adriana Ramzi, Muhammad Syafiq Mohamad and Siti Aisah Ambok Sulong.
For the procession, SK Orang Kaya Mohamad was the best contingent under Category A, with SK Agama Majlis Islam Sarawak and SK Kampung Baru named the top runners-up.
The contingent representing SMK Baru Bintulu was the Category B winner, followed by SMK Kemena Bintulu and SMK Assyakirin as top runners-up.
MasjidDarulMakmurJepakwon Category C, with the contingents of Masjid Daerah Bintulu and Masjid Al-Mustaqim RPR Kidurong as top runners-up.
In Category D, Bintulu Development Authority won, with Bintulu Education Office and Bintulu Resident and District Offices Muslim Employees Welfare Unit placing second and third, respectively.
Bintulu Customs Department came out tops in Category E, while Bintulu Police and Bintulu Immigration Department placed respective second and third.
Category F winner was Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd ( BPHB), with Serba Dinamik Sdn Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd at second and third place, respectively.
In Category G, Pekida Bintulu was adjudged the winner, followed by Kelab Wanita Ikhtiar Bintulu and Bintulu Welfare Volunteers Body at respective second and third place.
There was also a ‘sepanduk’ ( placard) competition, with prizes given to the winner of each category. The teams with the ‘Best Sepanduk’ were SK Agama MIS ( Category A), Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus ( Category B), Masjid Darul Makmur Jepak ( Category C), Pusaka Bintulu ( Category D), Bintulu Customs Department (Category E), BPHB (Category F), and Peryatim Bintulu (Category G).