SIBU: The target of 25,000 participants is set to make the 2026 Sibu Division ‘Lan Berambeh Sungkei’, the 8th edition to be held on March 7, a success.
Sibu Division Resident, Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman, said the programme organised by the Sibu Division Islamic Festival Standing Committee in collaboration with the Nangka State Constituency Service Centre and the Sarawak State Broadcasting Department (RTM Sarawak) will be held at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase I here starting at 4 pm.
“This programme is called ‘Lan Berambeh Sungkei’ in Sarawak Malay language which means let’s have iftar together.
“It has a ‘potluck’ concept where visitors have to bring their own food and exchange food with each other as has been our tradition for generations.
“It has been held for seven editions, of which this year is the 8th edition,” he said at a press conference at the Sibu Resident’s Office today.
According to Porkan, this programme has been implemented since 2017 as its first edition, with 2020 and 2021 not being held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In this edition, we are targeting 25,000 participants compared to last year (the seventh edition) when we recorded over 20,000 participants, while the sixth edition (2024) when we recorded over 15,000 participants,” he said.
He further explained that RTM Sarawak chose this programme as the closing location for the RTM Sarawak Ramadan Tour.
Porkan said that the guest of honour for the programme will be the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, in addition to the presence of Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, who is the pioneer of this programme and also the patron.
According to him, the objective of the programme is to strengthen ties among the community regardless of race and religion by creating a culture of ‘berambeh’ thus enlivening the celebration of the month of Ramadan.
In addition, Porkan said that such an annual programme also has the potential to encourage visitors or tourists from other districts or states as well as neighboring countries such as Indonesia and Brunei to come to Sibu Division to witness the culture of tolerance and unity of Sarawakians for themselves.
“We invite local representatives, including those from other states as well as Brunei and Indonesia, heads of departments, associations and the public to attend in large numbers by wearing traditional costumes.
“The ‘sungkei’ begins at 6.47 pm which will begin with a gimmick of beating the beduk by the guest of honor before the mass sungkei is held.
“The programme consists of the distribution of donations from agencies or departments comprising various dishes such as bubur pedas, bubur lambuk, dates, mee kolok, nasi ayam and many more through the Ramadan and Amal stalls,” he said.
Apart from that, he said, the Bedil Competition (starting at 4 pm), Teter Beduk Competition, Fashion Competition, Quaran Hours Programme, Ramadan stalls, Asnaf (needy groups) Donation Ceremony and Rahmah Sale will also be held.
“Visitors from outside the town are also welcome to join this programme, especially those from the areas closest to Sibu such as Sarikei, Kapit and Mukah. Other areas or states are also very welcome to enliven this programme,” he added.
