KOTA KINABALU, Sept 6 — Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah was so impressed by a set of the traditional game ‘congkak’ she came across at an exhibition here, that she bought it as a souvenir.
The board made of quality Seraya tree wood by the inmates of Sandakan Prison were among the handicrafts exhibited during Her Majesty’s visit to Kota Kinabalu Women’s Prison in conjunction with the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ programme here today.
Chief Inspector of Sandakan Prison and Head of the Vocational and Industrial Unit Nurhana Parlan said the congkak was the work of handicrafts by inmates who were undergoing the skills training phase.
“We feel very proud because Her Majesty was impressed and bought the product made by inmates of the Sandakan prison,” she told Bernama.
Nurhana said that other products produced by the inmates were a replica of a yacht and tissue boxes made of beads.
The exhibition also featured watches, keris, key chains, and delicacies such as pineapple tarts and ‘kuih makmur’.
Meanwhile, Corporal Cosmas Ubih from the Labuan Correctional Centre felt excited when Tunku Azizah suggested that the centre should collaborate with other colleges in producing cakes and cupcakes.
Cosmas said Her Majesty hoped such cooperation would be able to increase skills at the centre which housed a total of 570 inmates.
Earlier, upon her arrival at the Kota Kinabalu Women’s Prison, the Queen was greeted by the wife of the Yang Dipertua Sabah, Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni, wife of the Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof), Datin Seri Ruziah Mohd Tahir and the wife of the Sabah Chief Minister, Datin Seri Juliah Salag.
Tunku Azizah, accompanied by her princess Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah ‘Athiyatullah, was presented with the Gayung Patani silat dance before being shown the pastry products made by the female prison inmates.
