By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, April 7: Over 2,000 people converged at Padang Merdeka to ‘sungkey’ (break fast) in a mass picnic organised by Sarawak’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) yesterday (April 6).
Its Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday’s ‘Juh Berambeh Sungkey@Kuching 2024’ event was the second edition after its success last year.
“Last year’s event was well received by the members of the public.
“Insya-Allah I hope today’s event will also receive good reception considering that the weather is nice and it is the weekend where people can carry out last-minute shopping before Hari Raya Aidilfitri and break fast together here,” he told reporters at the event.
Meanwhile, event organizer Borneo Glamping’s chief executive officer (CEO) Shenton Tan Yuemin revealed that out of over 40 tents set up at the Padang Merdeka, they had rented out about 15 with camping equipment to the picnic goers.
“This is the second time we collaborated with MYSED to provide camping equipment for members of the public at Padang Merdeka.
“I can see that people are really into glamping nowadays. From what I can see, the response this year has definitely increased to more than 2,000 picnic goers,” he said.
The event also featured a special appearance by Islamic preacher Dato Ustaz Kazim Elias who presented a Ramadan ‘Tazkirah’ (brief talk revolving around religious reminders) at the field.
Members of the public enjoyed their meal together as the ‘beduk’ (drum) was sounded to mark the buka puasa time at 6.48pm.
However, by 7.10pm, drizzling rain forced most of the crowd to pack their things up to leave the field and find shelter.
Nevertheless, there we re still many groups who stayed on the field as they were comfortably sheltered from the rain in their respective tents.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (Entrepreneur Development) Dr Ripin Lamat, and former Tanjung Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu. — DayakDaily
