KUCHING: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib welcomed thousands of people from all walks of life who flocked to the Astana Negeri on the occasion of their Hari Raya open house.
Abdul Taib and Raghad who were clad in matching peach Raya attire gleefully welcomed the visitors from 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm till 4.30 pm.
New Sarawak Tribune observed that the myriad of visitors were clad in their best attire for the Raya visit. Some of the non-Malays including Dayak and Chinese were spotted wearing Raya attire like baju kurung, baju melayu with the ladies wearing kebaya.
They were all looking fascinated to meet and greet the Head of State and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad as they entered the Astana hall.
The guests mixed freely, getting acquainted with each other and did not mind sharing tables at the packed convention hall as they treated themselves to an array of local and Arabian dishes, including Raya signature delicacies such as lemang, satay and Laksa Sarawak.
Stephen Sigag, who came all the way from Miri expressed delight to be invited to attend the occasion again this year.
“I am so delighted to receive invitation to attend our governor’s open house again this year. It proves that he never forgets us because we have attended the occasion every year,” said the 50-year-old Kenyah man, who is also a member of the Association of Orang Ulu Sarawak.
Kamal Irwan from Bintulu brought his family to the open house to have a glimpse of the Sarawak Governor.
“To be honest, I never saw him in person. I am here to visit my parents-in-law for Raya and when we heard of this open house, we made it a point to come over,” he said.
Another visitor from Mukah, Alwin Lawrence said open house visits are merrier especially during double festive seasons.
“With Gawai Dayak festival taking place three days earlier, the festive momentum spilled to Hari Raya. It is a good thing that we have two celebrations close to each other, it is like a one long festive season for us,” he enthused.
Also dropping in at the Astana on Wednesday was Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife, Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, who arrived at about 4pm, accompanied by his brother Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg who is also the president of Sarawak Business Federation (SBF).
Earlier, Taib also received visits from VIP guests including Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas as well as Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong,
State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian also visited the head of State and wife.
