By DayakDaily Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7: The 2026 Malaysia Day Celebration Exhibition will showcase the history of Malaysia’s formation at the Main Atrium of Plaza Merdeka, Kuching, from Thursday until Sept 16 under the concept ‘Corridor of Time of Malaysia’s Formation’.
Information Department (JAPEN) director-general Erwin Khairul Ahmad said the 10am-10pm showcase will feature a pavilion in a large-scale gallery tracking Malaysia’s formation to the present day.
He said five main sections are featured: the Malaysia Formation Timeline, Malaysia Formation Documents, the Malaysia Formation Committee and Commission, the Leaders Gallery, and the Nationhood Gallery: The Malaysian Identity.
“…many people have never had the opportunity to see these historical documents, so we will display them as important references for the Malaysia Day celebrations,” he said during Bernama Radio’s Fokus 30: Sambutan Hari Malaysia 2026 programme today.
Erwin said the event is co-organised with the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), the Sarawak branch of the National Archives of Malaysia, the Sabah State Archives Department, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit, and the Sarawak Museum Department.
Smaller pop-up exhibitions will also be held in all 10 divisions of Sarawak, as well as a mini exhibition at IOI Mall Putrajaya and several other locations in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, he said, adding that activities include quizzes, Kahoot games, Pocket Talk sessions, and cultural performances.
Erwin said the celebrations will also include an interfaith thanksgiving ceremony on Sept 14 at a hotel in Kuching, followed by a thanksgiving ceremony at Masjid Jamek Kuching on Sept 15, ahead of the main Malaysia Day event on Sept 16 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
“This year, the celebrations are being held in Sarawak as part of the established rotation, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the spirit of unity, national integration, togetherness, and inclusiveness among Sarawak, Sabah, and Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
He said the highlight of the celebrations will be an opening performance themed ‘Sarawak Maju Makmur Segulai Sejalai’, along with silat, Hadrah (traditional Islamic devotional music), gendang pampat (traditional Iban instruments), and lion dance performances.
According to him, more than 50 Sarawak-based local artistes will join popular Malaysian artistes Dayang Nurfaizah, Faizal Tahir, and Stacy in performances that blend traditional and contemporary elements.
Meanwhile, Erwin said signing the Malaysia Day Special Book will also be among the celebration’s highlights.
“This historic book will also be signed by three leaders: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he said.
He said between 5,000 and 6,000 guests are expected to attend the event at BCCK, adding that people across the country can follow the celebrations via RTM’s live broadcast, official digital platforms, and other media channels.
“We hope Malaysia Day 2026 in Sarawak will provide an important platform to celebrate the spirit of unity and togetherness in diversity. This spirit is vital to ensure the country continues to move forward without leaving anyone behind, in line with the aspirations behind the country’s formation,” he said. — Bernama
