By Nur Ashikin Louis and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 26: There is nothing wrong with holding a mass celebration to welcome the 2023 New Year, albeit on a smaller scale, as Sarawak deserves it in recognition for the hard work and accomplishments that Sarawakians have done collectively for another tough year gone by.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Sarawak government has toned down the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration in heeding the call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to cut down on grand and extravagant events that would incur more costs and given that some parts of the country are still affected by floods.
“Initially, we had wanted to organise a large-scale celebration at Kuching Waterfront, but following the advice (from Prime Minister), we have decided to tone down the celebration, which has been relocated to the Indoor Stadium (in Petra Jaya on Dec 31, 2022) after seeking advice from the Sarawak Cabinet.
“The way I see it, it does not mean that we have to halt everything when natural disasters (like floods) strike at the end of the year (but depending on the severity of it). Floods happen every year due to the year-end monsoon season, so should we not celebrate the New Year countdown every year and if the floods hit next year?
“I’m not trying to counter, but I still feel that we deserve a celebration to reflect on all that we have been through in the past 12 months,” he told reporters during a doorstop interview after the Anglican Christmas open house at St Thomas’s Cathedral Parish Hall today.
Sympathising with the situation of those affected by floods, Abdul Karim emphasised that the New Year countdown celebration is also a time to acknowledge and honour the frontliners for their extraordinary service in dealing with another year of Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters as well as the victims of natural disasters for their perseverance.
“We are truly sympathetic with what the victims have to go through, and we also know life has to go on,” he said.
Furthermore, he added that the event would also create a joyous atmosphere for the tourists and visitors coming in, with the tourism sector just starting to pick up its pace.
All programmes for the upcoming New Year countdown at the Indoor Stadium remained the same, with stage performances by various artistes and a fireworks display.
As the celebration is on a smaller scale, Abdul Karim said those unable to join the celebration in the Indoor Stadium could also view it from the outside compound as a big screen will be installed and live streamed from TVS. — DayakDaily
