DPM wants all Sarawakians to work together in developing state
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- Ahmad Zahid pours scented water on Adenan’s grave. With him are (from right) Abdul Aziz, Awang Tengah and Azizul Annuar. From left are Dr Sim and Uggah. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
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- Ahmad Zahid greets Jamilah, who is accompanied by Juma’ani. Abang Johari is at left.
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- Ahmad Zahid, seated between Abang Johari and Kuching City North Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai (fourth left), with other guests. From left are Adenan’s son Azizul Annuar and Dr Abdul Rahman.
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- Ahmad Zahid (third left) talks to Abang Johari before prayer starts.
KUCHING: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on all Sarawakians to work together in developing Sarawak.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the grave of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at Samariang Muslim cemetery here yesterday, Ahmad Zahid believed that the last thing Sarawakians needed was to have differences with one another.
“We can’t have differences between us – we have to move forward. I think we need to work together to develop Sarawak, not only among BN (Barisan Nasional) component members. I would like to appeal to all parties besides BN to also work together to develop Sarawak,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said he could only come here yesterday because he was in China for a working visit when Adenan – the state’s fifth chief minister – passed away last Wednesday.
“I managed to speak to (Adenan’s widow) Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu to convey my family’s condolences for the great loss.” Ahmad Zahid hoped that the promises made by Adenan in the last state election could be fulfilled by the new Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“I will help the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) to realise all the pledges made during the last state election, especially those involving federal allocations,” he said.
At the same time, Ahmad Zahid also hoped that Sarawakians would give their support to Abang Johari like how they had supported Adenan when he was appointed chief minister in 2014.
Upon arrival at Samariang Muslim cemetery, Ahmad Zahid joined the Muslims present for the ‘tahlil’ led by acting Imam Besar Sarawak Mustapha Kamal Ahmad Fauzi.
He then scattered flower petals and sprinkled ‘air mawar’ on Adenan’s grave. The deputy prime minister also met Adenan’s sons Abdul Aziz and Azizul Annuar at the cemetery.
Accompanying Ahmad Zahid during the visit were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Later in the evening, Ahmad Zahid accompanied by Awang Tengah visited Adenan’s residence – Damai Jaya – in Santubong where upon arrival he was greeted by Jamilah, Abang Johari and his wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang.
The deputy prime minister and those present then performed the Maghrib prayer, followed by a ‘tahlil’ and the Isya prayer.
Others present at Damai Jaya last night were Uggah, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Assistant Minister for Public Utilities Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.