Presence of octogenarians at Aidilfitri open house rekindles childhood memories for Awang Tengah

LAWAS (March 24): A moment that left a deep impression on Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan during his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Lawas was when a group of elderly visitors, all in their late 80s, visited him.

The group included Liaw Jin Ti, 89; Liaw Su Hua, 88; Liaw Leh Hong, 85; Liaw Guang Engh, 83; and Teo Mew Eng, 86—one of them had even made the journey with the aid of a walker.

Some of them had known him as a young boy growing up in Kuala Lawas, he said.

Over 10,000 attended the deputy premier’s open house held from March 22 to March 23, which he described as a “living testament to the solidarity and harmony that defines Sarawak’s multi-racial society”.

“This is not only celebrated by Muslims in Lawas but by every race and stratum of society here, and for that I am very thankful. We had senior citizens and children alike turning up,” he said.

Awang Tengah and his wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud said they were deeply grateful for the outpouring of good will from visitors who travelled from as far as Sabah, Miri, Kuching, Baram, Labuan and even Brunei.

The occasion was also graced by Baram MP Datuk Anyi Ngau, who led a delegation of community leaders from his constituency, and presented Orang Ulu handicraft to Awang Tengah as a souvenir.

Adding more festive flavour was a lion dance performance by the Lawas Cultural Troupe.

Awang Tengah expressed hope that the spirit of unity and harmony on display during the open house would endure.

“Such unity is vital in sustaining the momentum of progress in Sarawak, and I hope Sarawakians will continue to cherish and safeguard it,” he said.