Abang Johari (front row, fifth right) together with Abdul Karim (front row, third right), Morshidi (front row, fourth right) and Ik Pahon (front row, right) pose for a group photo with Idris (front row, fifth left) and Melaka exco members.

KUCHING: The struggle of freedom fighters during the Brooke and Colonial eras should serve as an inspiration and motivation for the present generation of Sarawakians to work together towards the development of the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Speaking at a special dinner in Melaka on Sunday, he also pointed out that it was crucial that present leaders view the struggle of elders and leaders of yesteryears as the driving force for them to continue with the efforts to look after the interest and wellbeing of the people.

Abang Johari and his wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang were on a two-day official visit to the historic state, which also coincided with the gathering of hundreds of descendants of Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Ghafor Abang Qahar from all over the country which culminated in Sunday’s dinner.

“The struggle is not only for us (descendants of Datuk Patinggi Abdul Ghafor) but for all the people at large who need a good and fair leadership that is able to secure a bright future for Sarawak,” said the chief minister, who is the fifth generation descendant of Abdul Ghafor.

Abdul Ghafor was one of the leaders including Sherip Masahor, Rentap and Sawing who went against the rule of Rajah James Brooke in the mid 1800s out of their discontent of being ruled by the White Rajah who took over from the Brunei Sultanate.

Regarded as rebellious by the White Rajah, he was banished to Melaka where he later remarried and died of old age. He was buried at the Tok Gambon Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Limbongan in Melaka.

Also present during the dinner were Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

Prior to the dinner, Abang Johari and scores of extended family members visited the grave of Abdul Ghafor.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari and his entourage also paid a courtesy call on his Melaka counterpart Datuk Seri Utama Idris Haron at the Chief Minister’s Office in Ayer Keroh yesterday where they were given a development briefing.

Apart from that, they also visited the Melaka History Museum as well as attended a dinner hosted by the state government of Melaka at a leading hotel there.

Among those in the entourage were Abdul Karim, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.