By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 8: The fireworks display planned for the national-level Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16 will proceed as scheduled unless air quality in Kuching deteriorates to a very hazardous level that warrants a state of emergency, said Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Responding to comments on social media opposing the fireworks display amid the current haze situation in Sarawak, Abdul Karim said the event would have minimal impact on air quality compared to daily vehicle emissions.
“I don’t think the fireworks display on Malaysia Day celebration will produce much haze (that could worsen the current situation). The cars on the roads produce much more smoke than the fireworks display,” he said during a press conference on Sarawak Literature Festival 2026 at the ministry’s meeting room in Baitulmakmur Building today.
He stressed that there was nothing wrong with marking Malaysia Day with a fireworks display, describing it as part of the celebrations for the national occasion.
“For Malaysia Day celebration, there is nothing wrong for us to celebrate it that way with a fireworks display,” he said.
Abdul Karim acknowledged that opinions on social media were divided, but said he viewed the matter objectively and believed a modest fireworks display was reasonable.
“You put anything on social media platforms, there will be many who will be criticising as well as many supporting. I am quite objective with the outlook and based on my personal observations, on that day itself it is not wrong to have a small fireworks display,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with a recent event, he noted that a similar concern was raised during the Asajaya Festival two weeks ago.
“Last two weeks during the Asajaya Festival, I was asked about the fireworks display and I felt I could not deprive the people in Samarahan and Asajaya of that opportunity. Furthermore, it is not conducted frequently,” he said.
Nevertheless, Abdul Karim said his support for the Malaysia Day fireworks display would depend on the severity of the haze situation.
“I will support the fireworks display unless the air quality in Kuching hits a very hazardous level due to the transboundary haze, prompting a state of emergency to be declared,” he said.
He explained that if an emergency were declared because of haze, all activities and public events would have to be suspended, including the Malaysia Day celebration itself.
For now, he expressed hope that the Air Pollutant Index (API) would remain within the unhealthy to very unhealthy range of between 100 and 300, or improve further by Sept 16.
At the same time, Abdul Karim encouraged members of the public attending the celebrations and watching the fireworks display to wear face masks as a precautionary measure.
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 the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), providing residents with another vantage point to enjoy the festivities.
The main celebration at BCCK is expected to draw about 5,000 invited guests, with pre-show performances beginning at 7pm. The arrival of dignitaries is scheduled from 7.30pm, while the official programme will run from 8.15pm 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. — DayakDaily
