Taib, flanked by Raghad (front, third right) and Abang Johari, joins (front, from right) Nancy, Juma’ani, Jabu, Abdul Karim and Dr Annuar in singing a patriotic song while waving Sarawak flags on stage. Behind them, from left, are Fadillah and Dr Abdul Rahman.
KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawakians are assured that the state government, under the ruling coalition of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), would continue to develop Sarawak and its people.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg stressed that GPS would continue this undertaking, despite the change in the federal government after the 14th general election on May 9 this year.
Adding on, he said the GPS would continue the fight to claim what rightfully belongs to Sarawak.
Specifically on negotiations over Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Abang Johari stressed the importance for the governments of Sarawak and Sabah to have equal representation in the Special Cabinet Committee set up by the federal government to implement the Agreement; otherwise, it would be ‘lopsided’.
“We hope to negotiate on these (matters) especially on our (Sarawak’s) oil and gas, and also what’s written in MA63. We just want to keep the MA63 alive on our claims.
“We want to make sure that what’s rightful for us to claim (are given back), including development. With the strong support from all of you, together we will make it,” he said at the grand dinner to mark the conclusion of the 11th edition of the annual ‘Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak’ programme at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) here on Saturday.
Adding on, Abang Johari, who attended the event with his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, acknowledged the roles played by his predecessors Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Pehin Sri Adenan Satem in the fight for Sarawak’s rights.
Guests treated to a cultural extravaganza during the dinner at Mitec.
Taib, who was with his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib at the event, is now the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri after serving as Sarawak’s fourth chief minister for over three decades.
Adenan, who was Sarawak’s fifth chief minister, passed away on Jan 11 last year.
Meanwhile, the dinner event hosted thousands of Sarawakians – the majority of whom are either studying or working in Peninsular Malaysia. The ‘Lan Berambeh’ programme began in 2008 as a mega Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house event, slated for gathering Sarawakians from all across Peninsular Malaysia. The 11th edition’s theme was ‘Kamek Sayang Sarawak’ (‘We Love Sarawak’ in Sarawak Malay).
Several new programmes were also introduced this year such as the ‘Sarawak Youth Convention 2018’, a forum on ‘Federalism: Federal Constitution and MA63’ and a townhall session #TanyakAbgJo, which received encouraging response from Sarawakians.
Prior to the closing ceremony on Saturday, Taib took hold of the microphone on stage before blurting out: “Kamek Sayang Sarawak!” – a gesture that received thunderous applause from the audience.
Former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who was also Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2018 organising chairman, Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof who was also event advisor, Batang Sadong MP Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee were among the dignitaries at the dinner.