KUCHING, July 19: Oil and gas town Bintulu is all set to host this year’s Sarawak Day Celebration.
This is the first time the celebration is hosted outside Kuching, which will be the pride of the Bintulu people who will have the opportunity to witness an array of events lined up across three days from July 20 and culminating with the Sarawak Day Rally at the Bintulu old airport on July 22.
“The Sarawak Day celebration is organised by the state government to commemorate the day Sarawak was finally given the authority for self-governance by the British Government in 1963,” according to a press release from the Unit Komunikasi Awam Sarawak (Ukas).
Billboards, fishtails and the state flags are being hoisted around strategic areas in the town, while preparation works for the July 22 event are ongoing at various locations as of time of writing, the statement continued.
In total, there are seven main events to mark this year’s celebration starting with Sarawak Day eSports Tournament (July 20-22), Love Sarawak Through History (July 20-21), Sarawak Day Run (July 21), Majllis Kesyukuran Hari Sarawak (July 21), Konsert Kamek Sayang Sarawak (July 21), Perhimpunan Hari Sarawak (July 22) and Sarawak Day Exhibition (July 23-28).
On July 22, the day of the Sarawak Day parade, the Head of State Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib are scheduled to arrive at 9.15am at the celebration’s venue.
They will be welcomed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, as well as other state dignitaries.
“There will be a special entertainment presentation coordinated by the Sarawak Arts Council followed by a welcoming speech by the Minister of Utilities cum minister-in-charge of the celebration, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
“Then, Abang Johari is scheduled to deliver his address, to be followed by a video show giving an insight on the state’s overall development,” the statement said.
The Governor will be invited to perform the launching gimmick after the flag-raising ceremony.
After the event, Taib and Abang Johari will grace the launching of the Sarawak Day Exhibition near Naim Bintulu Paragon. The chief minister is expected to close the eSports tournament at the same venue. — DayakDaily
