MATU: The Aidilfitri festivities continue to be enlivened through visits by Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) and Jemoreng Assemblyman, Dato' Murshid Diraja Dr Juanda Jaya around his constituency on Friday and Saturday.

Together with his wife, Datin Shanti Achmed, Dato' Dr Juanda also graced the ‘Belangger Mija’ event, a long-standing tradition of celebrating Hari Raya in Igan which has been held with great enthusiasm every year.

According to custom, every year, one village will take turns hosting the event, involving five villages in Igan, namely Kampung Baru Dagang, Kampung Baru Ismail, Kampung Pulau, Kampung Tengah and Kampung Sekerang Igan.

The event, which took place from 3 to 5 Syawal, was held every day for five days by each village, where the host village of the day would prepare dishes that were served on the streets throughout the village.

As part of the festivities, villagers would welcome guests from extended family members, neighbours and friends from four other villages in Igan.

This event not only serves various traditional dishes, but also serves as a platform to strengthen family ties, friendships, and celebrate the spirit of goodwill among the community and fosters the spirit of mutual cooperation.

“A ceremony like this is a symbol of kinship, mutual cooperation, and revives a very good culture in our community,” he said in his speech at the event.

Dato' Murshid Diraja Dr Juanda also said that residents in this area need to be prepared to accept change because of the impact of the rapid development through the Igan Bridge, Igan-Sibu Road and several other projects that are being implemented will change the landscape and environment of this area in the future.

“Take the opportunity to grow the local economy such as preparing various food products, beverages, handicrafts and so on because when the road connection facilities are completed later, this area will be the focus of the main route to the whole of Sarawak,” he said. - UKASnews