KUCHING, August 21: A three-day pictorial exhibition titled ‘Raja Kita’ will be the highlight of the state-level celebration in Sri Aman to commemorate Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V’s birthday this Sept 9.
Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife, Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, will be present at the launching of the exhibition at Hotel Seri Simanggang. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife, Datin Patinggi Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, are also expected to be present at the grand gathering, which will be in the form of a high-tea reception.
Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, who is the minister-in-charge of the event, said the weekend celebration would kick-start with a thanksgiving prayer on Sept 8 at Masjid Bandar Sri Aman at 6.30pm.
Taib and Abang Johari are expected to grace the special prayer session in the presence of some 1,000 congregates. There would be a Fardhu Maghrib and Isya prayers, Surah Yassin reading and Zikir Marhaban.
“It is a good opportunity for the public, especially students, to gain knowledge on our king by going to the exhibition, which comprises more than 30 photos of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“The exhibition will also feature the traditions and customs of Istana Negara and the coronation ceremony,” Fatimah told a press conference here today. She will be assisted by assistant ministers Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Malcom Mussen Lamoh and Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Sultan Muhammad V was proclaimed the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Dec 13, 2016. He was proclaimed the Sultan of Kelantan on Sept 13, 2010.
Sept 9 was recognised as the new official date for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday celebration last year. The change will be in effect for five years under the rule of Sultan Muhammad V.
The exhibition is organised by the state Information Department and will be opened for public viewing from 2pm on Sept 9. From Sept 10-11, it will be opened from 9am onwards. Visitors will also stand a chance to win attractive prizes by taking part in a quiz organised by the Information Department.
Fatimah said at the event, the state government would present hampers and cash donations to underprivileged recipients and victims of recent fire incidents in Pantu, Engkilili and Lingga.
A sum of RM5,000 would be given to each household of the 22-door longhouse in Pantu, seven-door longhouse in Engkilili, and the family in Lingga to buy building materials for the reconstruction of their homes. — DayakDaily
