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KUCHING, Aug 20: A crowd of about 40,000 people gathered at Miri Times Square yesterday (Aug 19) to take in the excitement of the Miri City Street Parade, which was held in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Sarawak’s Independence.
According to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, 60 contingents participated in the parade, which began Saturday afternoon at the Miri City Council building and ended at Miri Times Square at night.
This year’s parade contingents include secondary schools, government and private agencies, and cultural representatives and associations.
The Miri City Street Parade was made more interesting by the participation of 17 contingents of decorated cars representing various government agencies, private parties, and associations.
Earlier, Miri City Street Parade chairman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, who is also Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak Deputy Minister, officiated the symbolic release of the contingent.
Meanwhile, the decorated car belonging to Samling and Parkcity Group managed to impress the judges and emerge as the winner, taking home RM10,000 in cash.
The categories of secondary school, culture and association, and government and private department were won by Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Lutong, Miri Orang Ulu Women Association (PWOUM), and 12th Battalion Miri General Operations Force (GOF), each of which received RM5,000 in cash.
The second- and third-place winners of the decorated car category were the Miri City Council and the Miri Port Authority, who received RM5,000 and RM3,000, respectively.
In the secondary school category, Riam Road Secondary School was named the runner-up, while SMK Riam Miri came in third.
Miriek Jatti Association and Miri Dayak Association finished second and third in the culture and association category, respectively.
The second-place finisher in the category for government and private departments was the Miri Zone Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), while the third-place finisher was the Miri Industrial Training Institute.
All second- and third-place finishers in the three categories received RM3,000 and RM1,000, respectively.
Transport Sarawak (MOTS) Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin presented prizes to the winners on behalf of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Guests and the general public were also treated to performances by guest artists Dayang Norfaizah and Bob Yusuf and a finale performance accompanied by fireworks.
Also present were Minister in the Department of the Premier of Sarawak Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Deputy Minister of Health Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, and Sarawak Entrepreneur Development Dr Ripin Lamat, Pujut assemblyman and Miri City Council Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, Ministry of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Sarawak permanent secretary Elizabeth Loh, Miri Division Resident Jamalie Busri, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching Raden Sigit Witjaksono, La Trinidad vice mayor in Benguet Philippines Roderick Awingan, and other dignitaries. — DayakDaily
