A woman in her late 40s was apprehended by police when she tried to approach Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud as he was about to launch the 'Sejiwa Senada' programme at the Miri City Council field today.

NONE The drama unfolded at about 11.30am when the woman, wearing a blue shirt and carrying an umbrella and a plastic bag, slipped through the crowd and headed towards the VIP area where Taib was seated.

Several Special Branch officers saw her coming and immediately blocked her path before bringing her out of the main tent where the launch was to take place.

"The chief mnister deserved to know the truth!" she shouted as she was being escorted out.

She was brought to the Miri central police station, but was released moments later.

It is learnt that the woman was unhappy with the service of a government department and wanted to complain to Taib personally.

Event proceeds smoothly

Despite the incident, the ceremony proceeded smoothly as Taib went on to deliver his speech.

The Sejiwa Senada (together on the same wavelength) programme, which is organised by the State Government, provides a venue for government departments and agencies and government-linked companies to reach out to the people.

They have set up 181 booths to explain their roles to the public and to listen to suggestions from the people during the programme which ends tomorrow.

- Bernama