BY ALEXANDRA LORNA & NUR ATIQAH QURATULAINI
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Over 5,000 people gathered at the Kota Samarahan Civic Centre on Sunday to celebrate the Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House.
The event saw a blend of community figures, including Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Also present were the Federal Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, and the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Running from 10 am to 3 pm, the celebration welcomed residents from across the Kota Samarahan area, including Asajaya, Muara Tuang, and Stakan.
A variety of dishes were served, prepared in collaboration with agencies under the Deputy Minister’s office, such as the Department of Community Development (KEMAS), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Sarawak Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA), and Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA), Samarahan Resident’s Office, the District Office, and the Pertubuhan Kebajikan Malaysia (PERKIM) Samarahan branch.
A highlight of the event was the symbolic handover of contributions to 80 prospective Hajj pilgrims under the Ukhwah Programme P197 Kota Samarahan, an annual initiative supporting local Hajj pilgrims.
The ceremony was officiated by Abang Johari, who presented it to Penghulu Seraie Sajili of Kampung Sindang Baru Sarie Sajili and Ustaz Aswat Osen of Kampung Mang, Samarahan.
