By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 11: This afternoon’s downpour flooded several roads with inches of water and drenched event preparations at Padang Merdeka ahead of tomorrow’s (Oct 12) parade ceremony, marking the Sarawak Governor’s birthday celebration.
Photos and video clips shared on the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) group showed the canopied, elevated seating area for guests inundated by ankle-deep water.
The lower parts of the chairs’ white covers were stained, the carpets were soaked, and debris like leaves and dirt littered the area, brought in by the rising water.
Bomba Sarawak has dispatched teams to assess flooding across Kuching, including areas around Jalan Pending, Jalan Kwong Lee Bank, Jalan Pearl, and the event venue at Padang Merdeka.
While the rain has been pouring since 2pm, Bomba reported that the water levels near the celebration venue have started to recede.
The parade, in conjunction with the 78th birthday of Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, is expected to commence at 8am tomorrow.
This will mark Wan Junaidi’s first official birthday celebration as the Governor of Sarawak since his appointment on Jan 26, 2024, for a four-year term.
A total of 78 contingents, involving 3,100 participants, will take part in the grand parade at Padang Merdeka.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, are expected to grace the event.
The Sarawak Arts Council (MSS) has arranged several performances, including 50 students singing “Dirgahayu” by Faizal Tahir and Dayang Nurfaizah, as well as a medley by Dayang Nurfaizah and Bob Yusof featuring 1960s hits.
Additionally, a cultural performance titled ‘Rampaian Etnik Kreatif’, featuring 100 participants from six Sarawak ethnic groups, will also be showcased. — DayakDaily
