Kedayan delegates pay courtesy call on CM

LIMBANG: A delegation from the Kedayan Association Limbang (PKL) paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the latter’s office in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex at Petra Jaya, Kuching on Thursday.

The visitors comprised PKL chairman Penghulu Sahat Bagol, deputy chairman Sufian Mohat who is also Limbang Walikota, and its executive committee members.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Limbang Resident Ahmad Denny Ahmad Fauzi and Limbang District Officer Jamalie Busri were also present.

According to Sufian, the courtesy call was meant to invite Abang Johari to officiate at the ‘Makan Tahun Perdana’ (Grand Annual feast) to be hosted by PKL this Aug 5 at Kampung Patiambun hall.

Additionally, PKL also forwarded its application for a piece of land for the association to run its activities.

The ‘Makan Tahun Perdana’, which enters its fourth edition this year, would run for three days, beginning Aug 3. Also expected to join the gathering are Kedayan association members from Miri, Sabah, Labuan and Brunei.

Several activities will be held such as the ‘kepala kapo’o’ (beauty pageant), ‘lagu isai induai’ (presentation of folk songs), pencak silat, ‘junjung’ (best booth), ‘gotong-royong’ (work party), mass eating of ‘kelupis’ – a traditional glutinous rice snack, community sports and also booths selling various items.

The ‘Makan Tahun’ is one of the traditions of the Kedayans, usually celebrated after the harvesting of rice.

Awang Tengah (seated centre), flanked by Dr Abdul Rahman on his right and Ismawi, joins Hasbi, Paulus (seated third left and third right, respectively) and other NRDA board members in a photo-call after the meeting.