By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Aug 3: The new Surau Darul Ehsan Tun Abang Haji Openg in Limbang was named after Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s late father.
For this, Abang Johari expressed his gratitude and deep appreciation to the people of Limbang, especially those in Kampung Bunga Raya, for the great honour.
“This is a very high honour given to the deceased, especially to my family who had served for so long in Limbang,” he said.
His father, Tun Datuk Abang Openg Abang Sapiee, was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, and before that, a district officer of the then Limbang district, which covered the present Limbang and Lawas districts.
Because of this, Abang Johari said, Limbang was his home for about eight months before he and his family moved to Kuching.
Reminiscing about the old days, he related how he was a sickly boy until ‘Johari’ was added to his name.
“My name was only Abang Abdul Rahman, but I always got sick with illnesses that was said to be incurable. And people of Limbang advised to add ‘Johari’ to my name.
“That’s the history. So, my name is now Abang Abdul Rahman and I have been healthy until today, until I’m now the Premier of Sarawak,” he said when officially launching the surau at Kampung Bunga Raya in Limbang today.
Among other dignitaries present were Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, and Deputy Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Datuk Abdul Rahman Ismail. — DayakDaily
