Abg Johari pledges RM100,000 to support PKMS
KUCHING: The Sarawak Malay National Association ( PKMS) strives to carry out more activities meant to preserve the culture and traditions of this community.
As such, the pledge of a RM100,000 grant by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg should be of great help for this mission.
“The lifestyle of our people has changed as many of them no longer stay in villages; still, our culture should be practised and preserved despite such transformation.
“The PKMS should continue its role of preserving the Malay culture,” Abang Johari said during the closing ceremony of a ‘ marhaban’ competition’, organised by PKMS, at CIDB Convention Centre Kuching along Jalan Sultan Tengah here yesterday.
According to the chief minister, the ‘marhaban’ (songs of praise for Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H.) is one of the activities that usually take place at suraus on Friday evenings.
He said such activity would serve as a platform for villagers and local residents to foster closer rapport between one another.
Nevertheless, Abang Johari observed that another activity
The lifestyle of our people has changed as many of them no longer stay in villages; still, our culture should be practised and preserved despite such transformation. The PKMS should continue its role of preserving the Malay culture. Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
‘Khatam Al- Quran’ had become less-practised by the local Malay community these days.
“It is time for the association to revive ‘Khatam Al- Quran’ while the people continue to embrace the modern lifestyle.”
Abang Johari also pointed out Masjid Darul Hana in Petra Jaya here as a mosque with ample facilities for any Malay couple to tie the knot.
In this regard, he noted that these days, there are still some Malay couples who prefer to hold their solemnisation of marriage and wedding receptions at home, rather than at the mosque.
He believed that it would be ‘much more solemn’ to have such a ceremony held at the mosque.
“At Masjid Darul Hana, we have a room for the ceremony, another room for the bride to do make-up, and we have a hall to host the guests.
“I’ve been made to understand that a lot of Malays now have their wedding ceremonies at the mosque where people usually take what they do more seriously,” he said.
Meanwhile, ‘Suara Kilauan Majma’ of Kuching emerged winner of the men’s category of the ‘marhaban’ competition, earning the troupe RM1,500.
‘Surau Baru Asajaya’ from Asajaya and ‘Surau Darul Hamra B’ from Petra Jaya Fire and Rescue Station were second and third, respectively, in this category.
The Asajaya team bagged RM1,000, while the firefighters team pocketed RM750.
In the women’s category, the top prize of RM1,500 went to ‘Suara Wawasan Semariang Batu’, while respective runnersup ‘ Nur Syuhadah’ from Kampung Tabuan Hilir and ‘Nur Hikmah’ from Sadong Jaya received RM1,000 and RM750, respectively.
PKMS deputy president Dr Wan Ali Tuanku Madhi was among the guests at the event.