BETONG: The celebration of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Official Birthday Anniversary at the Sarawak state level continued in a festive atmosphere through the organisation of a Tea Reception attended by the Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, at the Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan Sports Hall, on Sunday.

Earlier, he and other distinguished guests performed the symbolic opening of the event by cutting the yellow glutinous rice (pulut kuning) as a mark of celebration for the occasion.

At the same event, he also presented contributions to registered recipients under the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKM) for the Betong Division, involving several categories of aid including General Assistance (BA), Senior Citizens' Assistance (BWE), Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Unable to Work (BTB), Allowance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (EPOKU), Bedridden Patient Care Assistance (BPT), and Children's Assistance (BKK).

The event was also attended by the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department, Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, and Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

Also present were the Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Coordinator for Regional Development Agency, Kuching North City Commission and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing (Community Wellbeing), Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Member of Parliament for Betong, Dato Dr Richard Rapu, Resident of Betong Division, Datu Richard Michael Abunawas, and other guests.

As the closing event of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Official Birthday Anniversary Celebration at the Sarawak State Level for 2026, the public is invited to attend a People's Concert to be held at the Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan Sports Hall, Betong, at 8 pm on Sunday night.

The concert will feature a lineup of local and national artists including Aina Abdul, Ramles Walter, Carrie Geres, Masterpiece, Mawat, Stanley and Chien, who are expected to enliven the celebration and serve as the highlight of this year's state-level event. -UKASnews

Prepared by : Gabriel Rommy
Photographer : Ameerul Syafiq
Translator : Uilson Ng