HAPPY Sarawak Day, fellow Sarawakians! This coming Wednesday, July 22, we will all be celebrating Sarawak Day (officially Sarawak Independence Day).
It is an official state public holiday in Sarawak and on this date, government offices, schools, and many businesses in the state are closed.
Sibu, a vibrant commercial centre situated at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan rivers in central Sarawak, is hosting the official Sarawak Day celebration from July 20 to July 22 this year.
Yes, Sibu is where you should be if you are on holiday and want to experience firsthand a Sarawak Day celebration.
The three-day celebration, which centres around the theme “Sarawak Maju Makmur, Segulai Sejalai” (A Progressive and Prosperous Sarawak Together as One), commemorates the state’s journey to de facto self government achieved on July 22, 1963.
The key events and locations in Sibu include a Thanksgiving Ceremony at An-Nur Mosque on July 21, the Unity Walk, Sarawak Day Exhibition, Sarawak Day Assembly and a Konsert Rakyat (People’s Concert), all to be hosted at the Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang Square on July 22 (main day).
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi as well as Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg are expected to attend the celebration as guests of honour.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, minister responsible for the celebration, said the event would bring together people from across the state to commemorate Sarawak’s attainment of selfgovernment in 1963.
At a press conference in Sibu last month, he hoped the celebration in Sibu would not only strengthen the spirit of togetherness but also recognise the town’s role as an economic growth cluster and strategic development centre for the central region.
On the People’s Concert, he revealed it would feature local artistes, Ricky Anderson, Kelly, Claudia, Priscilla Abby and Ericson as well as popular singer, Mimi Fly.
Lee added that the Sarawak Day assembly would be broadcast live on TVS and various online platforms.
This is definitely good news for those faraway who want to see the celebration.
Do you know that Sarawak Day was only declared an official state public holiday in 2016 — 47 years after Sarawak’s attainment of self-government — by the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem?
Thanks to Adenan, who served 34 months as Sarawak’s fifth chief minister before dying from heart complications, Sarawakians now have this special day to honour past leaders like local politicians and freedom fighters who navigated the state’s journey towards sovereignty.
Sarawak Day is also for celebrating the state identity by instilling civic pride among the diverse communities of ‘Anak Sarawak’ (Children of Sarawak) and foster a sense of shared belonging and cultural unity.
It is also a day to increase historical awareness by educating the younger generation about the state’s unique past and its political evolution before helping to form Malaysia on September 16, 1963.
It is heartening to note that the Sarawak Day celebration rotates among major towns in order to foster inclusive state-wide unity, promote equitable socio-economic benefits for local businesses and educate the younger generations on Sarawak’s unique history and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Last year, the Sarawak Day celebration took place in Miri. In 2024, the celebration was held in Bintulu.
However, the official location for the 2027 Sarawak Day celebration is not publicly available yet. Yesterday, the Ibu Pertiwi FlagRaising Ceremony took place in full ceremonial splendour at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi, Petra Jaya in Kuching.
It was organised by Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development as part of the Sarawak Day celebration.
The July 2025 edition of the flag-raising ceremony was officiated by Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
Present were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development, DBKU and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and DBKU Mayor Datuk Hilmy Othman.
The ceremony began with an inspection of the DBKU Local Guard of Honour, followed by the singing of the state anthem “Ibu Pertiwi”, a prayer recital and the raising of the Ibu Pertiwi flag on the 99.4-metre-high flagpole.
The event also featured performances by the SMK Green Road Marching Guard and Colour Guard as a rendition of “Pertiwi Tercinta” by singers Ermie Sanisha and Azam Pitt.
Hats off to DBKU and the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development for cultivating a deeper sense of love for Sarawak and strengthening unity ahead of the actual Sarawak Day celebration in Sibu.
Now, as an Anak Sarawak, what can you do to show your patriotism on Sarawak Day (July 22)?
Well, if you are in Sibu, you can take part in the Sarawak Day celebration there.
If you are elsewhere, you can tune in to the broadcast or telecast.
You can also proudly host the Sarawak State Flag alongside the Jalur Gemilang at your home or your business to show your loyalty.
You can wear traditional clothes with Iban Pua Kumbu motifs, Orang Ulu beadworks or Malay Baju Melayu with songket) to showcase the state’s rich heritage.
If you are in Kuching, you can also visit the Dataran Ibu Pertiwi in Kching to view the iconic 99.4- metre-flagpole and flag and pose for a picture there.
Your choices are endless.
Before I conclude, let me wish all Sarawakians a Happy Sarawak Day again.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at adelinel888@ gmail.com.
