Misnu (second right), joined by Siaw (second left) and others for a photo session after the press conference on the state-level Maal Hijrah Celebration 2018 in Sibu. SIBU: The state-level Maal Hijrah celebration 2018 from Sept 10 till 11 will be centered in Sibu, says Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) president Datu Misnu Taha. Misnu said the highlights of the event will be on Sept 11 (Tuesday), where some 1,000 people are expected to gather at Sibu Islamic Complex to mark the celebration besides giving out of awards to ‘Tokoh’ Maal Hijrah. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib as well as Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Patinggi Dato Jumaani Tuanku Bujang are ...

Uggah and Turkson jointly hit gongs to open the congress. Poh is on Uggah’s left, while Marino is on Turkson’s right. KUCHING: Sarawak’s Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) is the only formal government agency in Malaysia to look after the needs of non-Muslims, reflecting Sarawak’s priorities regarding inclusion and diversity. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said Sarawak is a model for the country, where those of different religious beliefs can live peacefully. “A high degree of religious tolerance, acceptance, and mutual respect amongst the people of different religious beliefs prevail in Sarawak,” he said at The International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants (CICIAMS) XX World Congress ...

Dennis (fifth right) witnesses the slaughtering of sacrificial cow. LONG LAMA, Baram: The significance of Hari Raya Aidiladha was shared with non-Muslims in Telang Usan constituency yesterday. Comprising various ethnic groups, they were invited to witness the slaughtering of sacrificial animals by the Muslim community at the Darusalam Mosque, Long Lama. The meat of three slaughtered cows was distributed to around 150 Muslims while the rest was given to non-Muslim residents around Long Lama. Attending the sacrificial rite and distribution of the meat was Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau. Chairman of the Darusalam Mosque, Datuk Abu Bakar Abdullah, hoped that the event would enhance the understanding of non-Muslims on Islam and the sacrificial rite performed every ...

Abang Johari (front second left) is seen with (from front left) Misnu, Abdul Karim, Asfia, and Idris at Masjid Jamek. KUCHING: Orphans were among the beneficiaries of meat from nine cattle sacrificed for Hari Raya Aidiladha at the Laila Taib Welfare Complex yesterday. Sarawak Orphans Welfare Organisation (Peryatim) chairman Datu Misnu Taha thanked the generous donors for contributing the animals. “We have been conducting this programme every year and have received an amazing response each time,” Misnu, who is also Sarawak Islamic Council president, told reporters. He said the programme demonstrated the public’s empathy for the 135 children at the orphanage. Misnu presents sacrificial meat to a recipient. Peryatim chief executive ...

Simoi (fourth right) hands over the cow to Penghulu Abdul Samad Andul Rahim, who is the representative of the Lemanak area. SRI AMAN: Lingga assemblywoman Simoi Peri has given away 14 head of cows to her Muslim constituents for ‘korban’ – the ritual slaughter for Hari Raya Aidiladha – this year. Three cows are for the Lemanak area, comprising Kampung Hulu, Kampung Tengah and Kampung Stawang. Another three are allocated for the Ladong area comprising Kampung Masjid, Kampung Datuk, Kampung Hilir Baru, Kampung Hilir, Kampung Tanjung Engkabang and Kampung Tanah Baru Sembau. Two cows are meant for Kampung Lingga, while three other villages – Kampung Stumbin, Kampung Agropolitan Seduku and Kampung Triso – get a cow each, while Kampung ...

Wong (second left) inserts a letter into a bottle (time capsule) to declare open the celebration while Siaw (left), Tiong (right) and others look on. SIBU: Barriers that divide Malaysians must be removed because they, visible or invisible, bring about psychological divide among the people. Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said: “Some historians say Malaysia is unified but not united. Others say Malaysia is united but not unified, meaning, we are neither united nor unified. “We cannot allow this sort of situation to perpetuate. We have to bring about greater unity.” Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister, said this at the Sarawak Day celebration at the Islamic Complex here yesterday. He said ...

Fatimah (fifth left) together with Pitsa committee members in a group photo. Also seen are Jamilah (fourth left), Salmah (fifth right) and Zuriah (second left).     KUCHING: Taska Qaseh Laila I and II opened by Sarawak Single Mothers Association (Pitsa) give single mothers a safe place to send their young children while they are at work. The nurseries serve as a very important support system for working single mothers, says Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. “As a minister, I heartily support what Pitsa is doing, as providing single mothers and parents a safe place for their young children while they are at work, allows them to gain some financial independence, rather ...

Dr Annuar (left) serves guests at the Gawai-Raya celebration.     SIBU: Civil servants, be they at federal or state level are urged to continue working together despite the fact that they are ‘ruled’ by two different political camps. Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee said cooperation between the two governments must continue for the benefit of the people. The federal government is led by Pakatan Harapan (PH) while Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is governing Sarawak. “But that does not mean that we should break our relationship. Rather, civil servants must give their best in serving the people,” he said at the Sibu Division Gawai-Raya Celebration with civil servants at the Islamic Complex ...

The 3D conceptual image shows the proposed Bintulu Jepak Bridge over Kemena River     BINTULU: The construction of the Bintulu Jepak Bridge across the Kemena River will commence early next year, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. The project, which he approved  last year, would also culminate in the relocation of the divisional administration to Jepak. He said upon the completion of this bridge, it would present a holistic impact to the socio-economy and integration of the rural areas. Abang Johari announced this during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at Masjid Darul Makmur in Kampung Jepak near here yesterday. In March last year, the chief minister announced a RM250-million allocation for the construction of a bridge ...

  Uggah (centre) in a photo-call with (from left) Ambrose, Jaul, Dr Kalwinder, Ngenang, Nelson, and Sim.     KUCHING: The Sarawak government presented grants totalling RM700,000 to two religious organisations yesterday. The recipients were the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei, known as the Diocese of Kuching – which received RM500,000 for the construction of the new diocesan Epiphany Seminary Kuching, and the Sarawak Sikh Temple Association, which received RM200,000 to assist with land preparation for its proposed crematorium site. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah presented the cheques to Assistant Bishop-Designate Revd Nelson Ugas and Sarawak Sikh Temple Association president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira. Uggah said Chief ...