Mohamad Asfia carves the meat as the guest of honour of the event. Also seen are Sharifah Halimah (right) and Abang Abdul Wahap (second right).
KUCHING: The good relationship between the federal and state governments can be further strengthened if a Sarawakian is appointed to lead a federal department, says State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.
He said the appointment of Dato Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha as the state director for the Royal Malaysian Customs Department in 2017 was a good example of Putrajaya working to enhance ties with the state.
“They (Customs) are a federal department whose policy of implementation is in Sarawak. To foster a closer bond between the federal and state (governments), we need an ‘Anak Sarawak’ (Sarawakian) to lead such departments,” he said at the ‘Gawai Raya’ gathering organised by the department here yesterday.
Mohamad Asfia, who was the guest of honour at the event, praised Customs for contributing to the state’s development and economy through its services.
He also said the real strength of Sarawak is the harmony between its people of different races, cultures and religions.
Assistant Minister of E-Commerce Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Kuching North Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai and Brunei consul-general in Kuching Pengiran Kartini Pengiran Tahir were among those present at the event.