Miri's POKUFM hailed as model of empowerment, unity for disabled community
Ting (fifth right) joins POKUFM president Mazlan Daraman (second right) and other committee members in the symbolic rolling up of the rattan mat – a traditional gesture marking the official close of the Gawai Dayak festival.
MIRI (June 14): The success of Persatuan Orang Kurang Upaya Fizikal Miri (POKUFM) in fostering unity, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance among its members has been hailed as a model for community-driven empowerment.
State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting made the remarks during the 'Majlis Ngiling Bidai Gawai Dayak 2025', hosted by POKUFM in marking the end of this year's Gawai Dayak celebration.
Ting, who is also the Piasau assemblyman, praised POKUFM's consistent efforts in building teamwork, self-help and entrepreneurship among persons with physical disabilities.
'They plant and sell their own vegetables, creating a source of income for themselves. Their hard work and community spirit are what help them to do so well,' he said.
Having supported the group since its inception, Ting expressed pride in witnessing the steady progress POKUFM has made since its establishment in 2018.
'POKUFM has come a long way over the past seven years. There have been many improvements, and there is still more to achieve – but I believe in your potential,' he said.
Ting announced that a yearly government grant will continue to be allocated to support POKUFM's programmes and initiatives, reaffirming the ministry's commitment to grassroots development and inclusion.
He also expressed appreciation to the organisers for the invitation to the event and reiterated his support for community groups like POKUFM.
The 'ngiling bidai' ceremony, held here today, marked not only the end of the Gawai Dayak celebration but also served as a symbol of resilience, pride, and unity for the community. Disabled Persatuan Orang Kurang Upaya Fizikal Miri POKUFM Sebastian Ting
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
31 minutes ago
- Barnama
Bangkok Festival Set To Draw 10,000 Visitors, Bolster Malaysia's 2026 Tourism Drive
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing officiate the Malaysia Food and Culture Festival 2025 in Samyan Mitrtown, Bangkok. By Kenny Teng BANGKOK, June 29 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture is targeting 10,000 visitors for the Malaysia Food and Culture Festival 2025, held from June 29 to June 30, 2025, at Samyan Mitrtown, Bangkok. Its Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, stated that with the venue's average daily footfall of about 50,000 people, the festival is expected to attract at least 20 per cent of visitors over the two days. bootstrap slideshow 'The strategic location, situated near a major university and surrounded by office buildings and family-friendly spaces, makes it an ideal venue for engaging students, professionals, and families alike,' Tiong told Bernama on Sunday (June 29). He added that the vibrancy of the festival invites the public to experience the essence of Malaysia through its rich culinary offerings, captivating cultural performances, and exclusive tourism promotions, all in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. Tiong, who is on a working visit to Bangkok from June 27 to July 3, officiated at the festival, aiming to enhance bilateral tourism cooperation and lay the foundation for stronger ties ahead of VM2026. He emphasised that the festival plays a significant role in the lead-up to next year's Visit Malaysia, aiming to boost visibility and strengthen Malaysia's image as a welcoming and diverse travel destination. 'This initiative directly contributes to our 2025 tourism targets of achieving 43 million international tourist arrivals and generating RM283.8 billion in tourism receipts for the country,' he said. Tiong noted that the festival is part of Tourism Malaysia's ongoing efforts to promote VM2026, particularly by encouraging Thai tourists to explore Malaysia's unique attractions.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Malay Mail
Amazon tycoon Bezos' big fat billionaire wedding kicks off in Venice on a wave of glitz, jets and climate backlash
VENICE, June 26 — Amazon's billionaire founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez arrived in Venice on Wednesday ahead of their wedding, an event that has sparked protests in the Italian city. Bezos, the world's fourth-richest person, and his former television anchor bride-to-be were seen stepping off a water taxi at the Aman Hotel on the Grand Canal. The couple's three-day nuptials are due to start on Thursday, and the wedding ceremony is to be held at a secret location. Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, are said to have booked out the city's finest hotels for a star-studded guest list rumoured to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Orlando Bloom. Ivanka Trump, the oldest daughter of US President Donald Trump, arrived with her husband Jared Kushner and their three children on Tuesday afternoon. Rumours have swirled that the ceremony might be held at the Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, or at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse. At least 95 private planes have requested permission to land at Venice's Marco Polo airport, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera said, with the pair reportedly inviting about 200 guests. The lavish celebration has sparked soul-searching in Venice, one of the world's most popular tourism destinations where some fear the arrive of so many A-list guests and their entourages will make life worse. Greenpeace highlighted the hypocrisy of spending huge amounts on partying in a fragile city 'sinking under the weight of the climate crisis'. Activists unfurled a giant banner in St Mark's square on Monday, with a picture of Bezos laughing and a sign reading: 'If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.' Sanchez has also been criticised for saying more must be done to tackle climate change while also taking part in a space flight in April on a rocket developed by Bezos's space company Blue Origin. — AFP
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Borneo Post
Sabah showcases cultural pride and unity in Jelajah Sabah 2025
Mohd Syahrul Mansur receives the motorcycle during Jelajah Sabah. KOTA KINABALU (June 24): Jelajah Sabah 2025 proudly celebrated the spirit of community, culture and tourism — with strong backing from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah — further reinforcing Sabah's identity as one of Malaysia's must-visit travel destinations. Norseti Setini Binti Stil from Kota Kinabalu and Mohd Syahrul Mansur (Tawau), who officially completed their road registrations, each won the main prize of a motorcycle. Organised by Discover Sabah Digital Sdn Bhd, Jelajah Sabah 2025 concluded triumphantly this May after a vibrant series of cultural and tourism-centric events held across Sabah. The campaign was led with unwavering support from Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, whose dedication from the outset helped drive the program's success. The journey began in Tawau from May 16–18 at Kubota Square, where the launch was officiated by Tawau member of parliament Datuk Lo Su Fui, JP. In collaboration with the Tawau Municipal Council, a special cultural excursion to Kampung Balung Kokos was included — providing guests with a rich, authentic village experience and direct engagement with the local community. This cultural journey was captured using Virtual Reality (VR) — allowing others to explore the village's beauty from anywhere. After delivering his opening address, Lo donned the VR headset, becoming one of the first to explore the digital tour. Local artists including Pink, as well as performers and visitors, echoed the sentiment: it was their first time touring with VR — a groundbreaking addition that was later brought to Kota Kinabalu as well. There, Tindarama Datuk Joanna Datuk Kitingan, who officiated the closing ceremony, experienced the same VR journey after her speech — symbolizing unity and innovation in cultural preservation. The celebration continued in Kota Kinabalu from May 23–25, where Joanna remained a central figure throughout the festivities, representing cultural leadership and her continuous support for Sabah's creative tourism growth. Next, the series culminated in Aramai Fest, held from May 29 May to June 2 at ITCC Shopping Mall, Penampang. This dynamic event featured a celebration of local arts, cuisine, entrepreneurship, and a career fair in collaboration with the Labour Department and Social Security Organisation — offering job seekers a valuable platform to connect with recruiters and explore career opportunities. The entire Jelajah Sabah series spotlighted the rich cultural diversity of Sabah, with more than 12 traditional tribal performances captivating audiences. Each performance included live storytelling by the well-versed tribal leaders who explained the meaning behind their dances, costumes and cultural traditions — proudly sharing their heritage. Attendees were even invited to join the dancers on stage, fostering deeper engagement and cultural appreciation. All performances were broadcast live by Kita Connect Media, enabling real-time sharing of Sabah's vibrant cultural scenes with the world. With thousands of attendees, impactful programming, and widespread social engagement, Jelajah Sabah 2025 successfully promoted Sabah's cultural treasures, empowered local communities, bridged public and government engagement, and paved the way for future tourism growth.
