SINGAPORE – The official visit of Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to Singapore concluded on Sunday with a cultural and culinary highlight.
On the final morning of his four-day programme, the Governor, accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, visited the renowned Haji Kadir Restaurant on Lavender Street.
The couple was joined by Dato’ Fenny Nuli, Director of the Regional Office of Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sarawak.
The informal breakfast gathering provided a lighter moment at the end of a schedule that had included courtesy calls and discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Sarawak and Singapore.
Haji Kadir Restaurant is widely recognised for its Malay-Indian Muslim cuisine, with its signature dish being Sup Tulang Merah, commonly known as Red Bone Soup.
The dish features lamb bones simmered in a thick, spiced red gravy, often enjoyed with bread to soak up the sauce.
For Tun Wan Junaidi and Toh Puan Fauziah, this was their first experience tasting the dish. The Governor described the meal as a memorable culinary adventure, reflecting the rich food heritage of Singapore’s Malay-Muslim community.
The visit also highlighted the cultural connections between Sarawak and Singapore, where shared traditions and cuisine continue to bridge communities across borders.
The Governor’s trip to Singapore marked his first official visit since assuming office earlier this year. During the visit, he met with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and other leaders, reaffirming Sarawak’s commitment to strengthening ties in education, innovation, and cultural exchange.
Observers noted that the inclusion of a local food experience in the itinerary underscored the importance of cultural diplomacy. Such engagements, though informal, often serve to deepen mutual understanding and appreciation between nations.
The Red Bone Soup, once popularised along Beach Road before becoming a staple at Lavender Street, has long been considered a symbol of Singapore’s multicultural food scene. Its presence in the Governor’s itinerary added a distinctive flavour to the conclusion of his visit.
As the delegation prepared to return to Sarawak, the breakfast outing was seen as a fitting end to a trip that combined official diplomacy with cultural immersion.
The Governor’s engagement in Singapore is expected to pave the way for further cooperation, while also leaving behind a lighter memory of shared meals and hospitality.
