Sunday, October 28, 2007

Climax of Wedding of the Year

From left:- Arifin's father Arif, Musa, Arifin, Lenny and her mother. (Click for a larger view)My wife and I (this time minus our son) made our second trip to Membakut on Sabah's west coast, a good one hour-plus drive from Kota Kinabalu, in two weeks today. To be exact, we were back at Pimping village, the hometown of the Sabah State Legislative Assemblyman for Membakut, Tuan Haji Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif. To be more exact, we found ourselves back at YB (the Honourable) Arifin's house; this time as invited guests. We had invited ourselves during his Hari Raya Open House a fortnight ago, hoping to catch a glimpse of his charming wife (then fiance). Our disappointment then was compensated today when the beautiful bride, Lenny Natasha, finally showed up. She had to, for the occasion was her wedding celebration. The wedding proper was held in Sandakan on the east coast of Sabah last week near her father's constituency of Sungai Sibuga. The event there then was grander, with VIP guests headed by no less than Malaysia's Prime Minister and his deputy. After all, the bride's father is the Chief Minister of Sabah (one of Malaysia's 13 States), Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman. Today, it was the groom's turn to fete his relatives and friends in Membakut and that is why I call this post "Climax of Wedding of the Year". There was an air of festivity at Pimping with hundreds of people from the village alone and thousands from the entire Membakut constituency joining in the celebration; not to mention other guests from other parts of the west coast including the State Capital. The narrow road leading to Arifin's humble house was jammed by traffic from all over, especially when the Chief Minister's entourage arrived at around noon. What added to the carnival air was the fact that Pimping's Muslim majority residents were still in a festive mood, celebrating Hari Raya which started two weeks ago. Among the more notable guests present today were former Sabah Chief Minister (1976-1985) Datuk Harris Salleh and his family. Harris wife, Datin Rupiah is from Beaufort (next to Membakut) and is believed to be related to the Aman family who also originated from the district. It was a pleasant surprise for many and apart from greeting the newly-weds and their parents, they shook hands with Harris as well. After all,many benefited from his Berjaya administration for nine years.

In conclusion, once again, CONGRATULATIONS YB. The Most Eligible Bachelor of Sabah has found himself an equally-eligible bride. It has been no doubt Sabah's Wedding of the Year.

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