By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 5: Kuching Waterfront is set to light up with a fireworks display on Sept 16 as Sarawak hosts this year’s national-level Malaysia Day celebration.
The fireworks will be launched near the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex following the main celebration at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), giving Kuching residents another spot to catch the Malaysia Day festivities.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah confirmed the fireworks display during a press conference after a Malaysia Day coordination meeting held at the Waterfront Hotel here today.
“The fireworks will be launched at the Waterfront, at the usual place near the Dewan Undangan Negeri,” he said.
The main Malaysia Day celebration at BCCK is expected to draw about 5,000 invited guests, with pre-show performances beginning at 7pm.
The arrival of VIPs will take place from 7.30pm, while the official programme will begin at 8.15pm and run until about 10.30pm.
Among those expected to attend are Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
The programme will feature speeches by Anwar, Abang Johari and Hajiji, alongside the raising of the Jalur Gemilang, the national anthem and the Rukun Negara pledge.
Performances will feature artists representing the three regions of Malaysia, including Sarawak’s Dayang Nurfaizah, Sabah’s Stacy and Peninsular Malaysia’s Faizal Tahir.
The main celebration will also be broadcast live through RTM, TVS and social media platforms.
While the BCCK event is limited to invited guests, Abdul Karim said the wider public can still join the celebrations through programmes around Kuching and across Sarawak.
A Malaysia Day exhibition will be held at Plaza Merdeka from Sept 10 to 16, featuring pocket performances by cultural groups.
A Jualan Rahmah will also be held outside Plaza Merdeka during the same period.
Meanwhile, mini Malaysia Day exhibitions will be held in 10 other divisions across Sarawak, namely Sri Aman, Sibu, Miri, Limbang, Sarikei, Kapit, Bintulu, Mukah, Betong and Serian, allowing people across the State to experience and learn about the significance of Sept 16, 1963.
Beyond Sarawak, a Mini Sabah Exhibition is also planned at one location in Sabah, which is yet to be finalised, while three Malaysia Day exhibition sites have been identified in Putrajaya — the Cabinet Meeting Room, IOI Mall Putrajaya and the lobby of the Ministry of Communications tower.
A multi-faith thanksgiving ceremony organised by the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) will be held at Pullman Kuching on Sept 14, bringing together leaders from the various religious communities in Sarawak to offer prayers for Malaysia’s peace and well-being. The Sarawak Premier is expected to attend the ceremony as guest-of-honour.
An Islamic thanksgiving ceremony will then be held at Masjid Jamek Kuching on Sept 15 and is expected to be attended by the Sarawak Governor.
Rehearsals for the main celebration are scheduled from Sept 11 to 14.
Abdul Karim also revealed that a limited-edition commemorative coin would be introduced for the first time as part of this year’s Malaysia Day celebration, although only a limited quantity would be made available.
Also present during the press conference were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol and Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) Datuk Ibrahim Baki. — DayakDaily
