KUCHING – His Excellency the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, accompanied by Her Excellency Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah binti Mohd Sanusi, received a courtesy visit from YB Senator Dr Zulkifli bin Hasan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), at the State Astana in Petra Jaya on 20 April.
The delegation included YB Senator Puan Marhamah binti Rosli, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs); YB Datuk Dr Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Junaidi, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department; YBhg. Dato’ Dr Sirajuddin bin Suhaimee, Director-General of JAKIM; and YBhg. Datuk Haji Misnu bin Haji Taha, President of the Sarawak Islamic Council.
Also present were Sahibus Samahah Datu Haji Khalidi bin Haji Ibrahim, Mufti of Sarawak; YBrs. Tuan Haji Mual bin Haji Suaud, Director of the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department; YBrs. Encik Nor Azamir bin Alias, Director of the Malaysian Islamic Skills Institute Sarawak; YBrs. Ustaz Hamdan bin Jar’ee, Director of JAKIM Sarawak; and YBhg. Datuk Hajah Nurlaila binti Haji Said, Director of Sabah & Sarawak Region, Lembaga Tabung Haji Sarawak.
The meeting was held to reinforce cooperation between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government, particularly in the management of Islamic affairs, the development of religious education institutions, and the coordination of welfare programmes for the Muslim community.
Discussions also touched on socio-economic progress and inter-racial harmony, with emphasis on maintaining Sarawak’s stability and unity.
During the session, Tun Pehin Sri witnessed the handover of business zakat from Lembaga Tabung Haji Sarawak amounting to RM1,862,466.09 to the Sarawak Baitulmal Fund.
In addition, a flood relief contribution of RM250,000 from the JAKIM-YWM Musa’adah Fund was presented to the Sarawak Islamic Council.
The Governor and Toh Puan expressed appreciation for the visit and conveyed prayers for continued collaboration between federal and state religious institutions.
They highlighted the importance of sustained cooperation to ensure the well-being of the ummah and to strengthen the role of religious agencies in supporting community development.
This courtesy call reflects ongoing efforts to enhance federal-state relations in Sarawak, ensuring that religious affairs are managed effectively while contributing to broader socio-economic and cultural harmony across the state.
