LINGGA: The Kembara D’Astana programme continued with a stopover in Pekan Lingga on Sunday, providing an opportunity to engage with the local community.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, arrived at the Pekan Lingga jetty at 10.20 am.
They were received by Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor, Bukit Begunan assemblyman Datuk Mong Dagang and others.
Upon arrival, the delegation proceeded to Dataran Lingga for a photo session before continuing the programme at the Masjid Al-Hana Lingga Hall.
At the event, Wan Junaidi and Fauziah visited exhibition booths and signed a portrait of the family of former Temenggong Abang Bohari Abang Zen as a gesture of appreciation for local historical heritage.
Dayang Noorazah said Lingga was selected as one of the destinations for the Kembara D’Astana programme due to its historical value and significance to the Head of State.
She added that the programme was an initiative of Wan Junaidi himself, who travelled by river from Kuching through Triso and Sebuyau before arriving in Lingga.
She noted that his experience as Member of Parliament for Batang Lupar from 1990 to 2004 allowed him to witness firsthand the development of Lingga, which has grown from a small district into a full-fledged district.
The programme was further enlivened by a screening of a short video produced by researchers from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kota Samarahan on the Lingga-Banting Kingdom, part of the early history of governance in the area.
At the same event, former Temenggong Abang Bohari presented a heritage manuscript to Wan Junaidi as part of efforts to preserve local historical treasures.
There was also a presentation of a mock cheque for RM20,000 from the Astana Sarawak to Masjid Al-Hana Lingga.
Following lunch with the local community the delegation departed at 12.30 pm.
