The unfavourable weather did not dampen the spirits of an unexpectedly large crowd of 15,000 Kapit folk who came to welcome the Chief Minister of Sarawak at the opening ceremony of Sejiwa Senada at Kapit Sports Field on 5th March 2016.
According to the organising chairman and Kapit Resident, Encik Joseph Belayong the organizers expected a turnout of no more than 10,000 people for the event. Joseph said this was the largest number of spectators ever to attend a single event in Kapit.
Development in Kapit has not been as dynamic as other areas of the state however events such as Sejiwa Senada are the first step in the government’s determination to bring their services closer to the people of Kapit, especially services required by residents of Kapit.
Sejiwa Senada included 163 booths set up by government departments, agencies and GLCs to inform and educate the public and provide progress reports on infrastructure developments in the area such as the Kapit – Song – Kanowit road project that is on schedule.
There was a rumour circulating early on that the Chief Minister was going to take a turn on the microphone and he didn’t disappoint, delighting the massive crowd with a superb rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t help falling in love.”
The event was officiated by the Chief Minister of Sarawak Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Haji Adenan Satem who was accompanied by his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister and Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.