KOTA SAMARAHAN: The spirit of Hari Raya came alive in vibrant colours and flavours at the Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri Samarahan Division, where tradition, community and creativity blended into a lively celebration at Kota Samarahan Civic Centre today (Apr 10).
What set this open house apart was the strong collaboration among 15 government agencies, each contributing a diverse spread of festive delicacies that turned the venue into a culinary showcase of local favourites.
Among the participating agencies that set up exhibition booths and food stalls were the Department of Agriculture, Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS), as well as the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
From fragrant rice dishes and savoury fried noodles to an assortment of kuih-muih, satay, lontong and soto, visitors were spoilt for choice as they mingled and enjoyed the warm, communal atmosphere.
A standout highlight was the grilled lamb prepared by Kedai Tekoyong, which drew a crowd and was fully consumed within just an hour.
Beyond the food, the event also captured the essence of tradition through creatively designed exhibition booths.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Asajaya assemblyman, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, officiated the event, cutting the ceremonial pulut kuning and presenting duit raya to 20 asnaf families in attendance.
The celebration was further enlivened with singing performances by local artistes, adding to the festive cheer and entertainment for guests throughout the programme.
The event drew a diverse crowd, including members of the public, students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and UiTM, as well as local community groups, all coming together in the true spirit of Aidilfitri.
Also present was Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Kota Samarahan Member of Parliament, Datuk Rubiah Wang; and Muara Tuang assemblyman, Datuk Idris Buang, adding to the festive atmosphere alongside other distinguished guests.
More than just a festive gathering, the event reflected the unity and shared cultural heritage of the Samarahan community – a meaningful reminder that Hari Raya is as much about togetherness as it is about celebration.
