PM to declare open Bukit Aup 1M’sia Cultural Village
by Raymond Tan, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on February 22, 2012, Wednesday
WE ARE READY: Lau (second right) briefs Wong (second left), Tiong (left) and Sim (right) on the arrangement for Najib's visit to Sibu on Saturday.
SIBU: More than 10,000 people are expected to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at 1Malaysia Cultural Village in Bukit Aup near here when he comes for a visit this Saturday.
The Prime Minister will be here to declare open the holiday village resort and launch Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations’ slogan — 1Malaysia 1Huazhong — to symbolise the community’s march with the other races in nation-building.
Sibu United Chinese Association (UCA) president Datuk Lau Nai Hoh told a press conference here yesterday that the function would involve the people of all races “although it is a night the prime minister would meet the Chinese community”.
He said that apart from the two events, the local Chinese community would use the function to discuss with the prime minister their needs and to present a memorandum to him (PM) concerning the development of the Chinese community.
Najib is expected to arrive at Sibu Airport at 8.30pm to a red carpet welcome. He will then proceed to the 1Malaysia Cultural Village where he will be met by cultural troupes representing the colours of Sarawak.
Lau said the evening’s celebration would start at 8pm in order to build up an air of Malaysian harmony.
“On his arrival, the prime minister will declare open the village and the slogan of the Federation Of Chinese Associations.
“This will be followed by speeches from me (Lau), the president of the Federation of Sarawak Chinese Associations Wong Aik Liong and Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud before the keynote address of the prime minister.”
He said the prime minister would then walk about in the village, including sampling the cultural food of Sarawak before proceeding to a supper with the local community leaders, members of the Federation of Sarawak Chinese Associations and political leaders.
Also present at the press conference yesterday was Second Finance Minister and Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King, Resident Sim Kok Kee, Sibu Municipal Council secretary Hii Chang Kee and members of Sibu UCA.
Lau briefed Wong on the arrangement of the PM’s visit.
