KUCHING: The faces of 150 children from single parent families lit up as Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib arrived at the Boulevard Shopping Mall here to take them for a shopping spree under the ‘Sinaran Aidilfitri 2012’ event yesterday.
The children, aged five to 15 years, had waited on a temporary stage as early as 10.45am.
When the chief minister and Ragad were led towards the stage at about 11.30am, a festive song ‘Gemuruh’ was played to welcome them.
Young and cheerful voices filled the hallway as they sang along with the song while the special guests and invited guests, including Minister of Tourism and Minister of Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Fadillah Yusof and Semariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah took their seats for group photographs.
After the picture-taking, the children, from 21 villages in Semariang, had an unforgettable moment shopping with Taib and Ragad.
ONE TO REMEMBER: Taib (third right, seated) with Ragad (third left, seated), Abang Johari (second right, seated), Fadillah (right, seated) and Hasidah (second left, seated) posing with children during the ‘Sinaran Aidilfitri 2012’ event. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Children given RM100 each to buy clothing
The children were each given RM100 to buy their favourite clothing to mark the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Several staff of the Boulevard Department Store was seen shifting some shelves aside to make room for the chief minister to pick some festive clothing for the children.
The additional room was also meant for photographers to do their job as well as for shoppers, who were more than surprised to see the state’s chief executive and his wife at the mall.
Taib also shopped for toiletry items at Guardian before walking to the extended new wing where he visited a clothing outlet.
Before getting into their car as the almost half-hour shopping came to an end, Taib said it made him glad to spend some time with those children.
“We want to see happy faces of children who probably want to enjoy Hari Raya. And now, they enjoy a little bit with us.
“I am very happy to be with them today. Shopping in Kuching city is nice… and quality goods are coming up now. It has improved. Very good.”
Meanwhile, Fadillah told the press that it was the second time that PBB Semariang Youth Movement had organised the programme at Boulevard Shopping Mall.
‘Sinaran Aidilfitri’ has been organised for the past seven years, but yesterday was the first time Taib attended this festive programme.