Ripin (third right) presents Raya goodies to a senior citizen during the event jointly run by Kedayan Miri Association and Luak-Lusut Youth Action Committee.
MIRI: A successful community maintains strong ties and interacts not only among themselves, but also with those outside their own.
Such relationship allows the exchange of ideas and knowledge between them, which is a win-win situation for all, says Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat.
In this regard, he commends the Kedayans for continuing to work together with other communities here, especially in development programmes.
“Continue to strengthen your bonds with the other races here – the Malays, the Ibans, the Chinese and the Orang Ulu – but at the same time, strive to ensure that the Kedayans would not be left behind in mainstream development,” he spoke prior to the presentation of ‘bubur kacang’ (sweet bean porridge), ‘duit raya’ (cash for Hari Raya) and daily necessities to 70 orphans, single mothers and senior citizens at Kampung Luak here yesterday.
The event was jointly run by Kedayan Miri Association and Luak-Lusut Youth Action Committee.
According to Ripin, who is also Sarawak Kedayan Association president, the Kedayans were the early settlers in Miri and nowadays, the majority of them are living in Kampung Luak, Kampung Lusut, Kampung Haji Wahed, Kampung Lereng Bukit, Kampung Pulau Melayu and Kampung Batu Satu Lutong.
In this regard, he also acknowledged that the Kedayans have been living harmoniously with other communities including through intermarriages.
Additionally, he called upon the community to also continue working together with the present state government.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s event was the first that involved the cooperation between Kedayan Miri Association and the youths from Kampung Luak and Kampung Lusut.
On this, Ripin said it signified the importance of helping the less-fortunate members of the community.
It is learnt that the association would host a fundraising dinner after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration this year, where Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has been invited to the event as its guest of honour.