KUALA LUMPUR – Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg officially chaired his first National Council Meeting of the Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organisation (PERKIM) since assuming the role of President earlier this year.
The PERKIM National Council Meeting No. 1/64 was held at the organisation’s headquarters along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah on Monday. The Premier was welcomed by PERKIM’s Vice Presidents, led by Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim.
Also in attendance were Deputy Minister of Economics, Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib, and Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for the Regional Development Agency, North Kuching City Hall and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari was elected as the new President of PERKIM during the organisation’s 64th Annual General Meeting held on 13 May in Bangi, Selangor. He succeeded former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
During the meeting, the Premier oversaw the appointment of Dato Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar as the new PERKIM Secretary-General, and Datu Mersal Abang Rosli as Treasurer. Both appointments were made by the Premier himself.
In his address, the Premier expressed his gratitude for the trust bestowed upon him to lead PERKIM and conveyed appreciation to the previous leadership for their significant contributions to the organisation’s welfare and direction.
“I am committed to further strengthening the waqf agenda as one of the key initiatives to enhance the well-being of Muslims in the country,” he stated.
The council also approved the minutes from previous meetings, including National Council Meeting No. 1/63 (27 September 2024), a special session on 20 February 2025, and the Special Meeting for the 64th National PERKIM Annual General Meeting on 10 May 2025.
In a Facebook post, Dato Hanifah welcomed the Premier’s leadership, expressing confidence that it would revitalise PERKIM’s mission. “I hope this new leadership can continue to strengthen welfare efforts and expand the impact of PERKIM throughout the country,” she wrote.
The meeting marked a new chapter in the history of PERKIM as it moves forward with renewed focus under Sarawak-led leadership.
