By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 25: Sarawak will hold a four-day celebration in Kuching from Oct 9 to 12 to mark the 79th birthday of the Head of State (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, featuring official ceremonies, cultural showcases and community programmes.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is the minister-in-charge of the celebration, said the programme will bring together dignitaries, State leaders and the public in paying tribute to the TYT.
“So in total there are seven ceremonies that will be held. The main date is on Oct 11 but these ceremonies will begin a few days before that,” he told a press conference at Grand Margherita Hotel here today.
The celebration will kick off with a Special Thanksgiving Prayer at Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak on Oct 9 at 6pm, which is expected to draw 3,000 people. Additionally, mosques across Sarawak will hold special sermons during Friday Prayer the following day (Oct 10).
This will be followed by a Multi-Faith Thanksgiving Ceremony at Imperial Hotel Kuching on Oct 10 at 8pm with some 1,100 guests.
On Oct 11, two major events will take place—the Parade and Grand Assembly at Padang Merdeka at 8am, where about 10,000 people are expected, and the State Honours Award Ceremony at the Astana Negeri Sarawak at 11.30am.
“There will be more than 100 contingents from uniformed bodies, government departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and others taking part in the Parade and Grand Assembly,” Abdul Karim added.
Later in the evening, the State Banquet will be held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Dining Hall at 8pm, attended by 400 invited guests.
Later that night, the highly anticipated People’s Concert at Padang Merdeka will bring together a crowd of about 30,000 people. Organised by the Sarawak Arts Council (SAC), the concert will showcase cultural, creative and musical performances as a highlight of the celebration.
“There will also be a fireworks display on the same night which will be visible from Padang Merdeka and also from the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS),” he revealed.
The festivities will conclude with a Tea Reception at the Riverside Majestic Hotel on Oct 12 at 10.30am, with 500 guests expected. A total of 120 asnaf children are expected to receive contributions during the ceremony.
To ensure smooth coordination, Abdul Karim is supported by six deputy ministers. They are: Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali (Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department for Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations); Datuk Snowdan Lawan (Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts for Creative Industry and Performing Arts); Datuk Aidel Lariwoo (Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development for Infrastructure Development); Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat (Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department for Law and Native Customs); Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee (Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government for Public Health and Housing); and Dato Ibrahim Baki (Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication for Sarawak Energy and PETROS).
Throughout the four-day programme, Tun Wan Junaidi and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi will be present, while Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is also expected to attend. — DayakDaily
