Deputy minister excited about his Kampung Banjar ‘connection’

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KENINGAU: “I was so excited to hear the name of a village in Keningau that has a connection with Banjar,” said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Haji Ahmad Maslan.

Maslan, who is of Banjar descent, said he could not wait to visit the village called Kampung Banjar.

The Banjar community at Kampung Banjar here must have felt honoured to have been visited by Maslan who believed that this village must have been the only one in the country.

Maslan will treasure his visit to Kampung Banjar.

Relating how the visit came about, he said there was a sudden urge for him to go to Kampung Banjar which had drawn his attention since he came to know about the existence of such a village in Keningau.

He visited the village despite his tight work schedule recently.

As one of the leaders of Banjar descent, Maslan always wanted to know the number of Banjar people in the village.

“I am very excited about the name of this village. For me, this is an interesting story that I have gotten into the village and met the Banjar people and people of other races.

“I am very grateful to the villagers for their services … I will never forget them for what they have given to me during the visit and the time spent together with them,” he said, describing his meeting with Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman Hamzani Aziz and mingling with the villagers as a golden opportunity.

“I also thank Assistant Minister of Rural Development and Liawan state assemblyman Datuk Haji Sairin Karno for having told me about the existence of this village and accompanying me to visit and meet the residents.

“I strongly felt excited and honored although I was only there for two hours. I felt as if I was in a big family… this is very special,” said Maslan who is from Pontian, Johor.