BETONG: Betong Division has been chosen as the host for the Sarawak-level celebration of the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVII, scheduled to take place from Jun 11 to 15.
As early preparations get underway, a site visit and the first main organising committee meeting were held on Tuesday (Apr 28), led by Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai, who is overseeing the event.
The visit covered several key locations identified as programme venues, including Masjid Jamek Betong, Dewan Panglima Rentap and Dewan Sukan Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan.
The inspection, which began at 10am, involved a detailed assessment of each venue’s suitability, including capacity, parking, traffic flow, safety measures and logistical needs such as public address systems, seating arrangements and stage setup.
Following the site visit, a coordination meeting was held at the Kenyalang Meeting Room at the Betong Resident’s Office to review findings and streamline planning ahead of the event.
The meeting also included briefings by relevant agencies covering key aspects such as security, traffic management, logistics, VIP protocol, publicity and technical coordination throughout the celebration period.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu; Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan; director of the Sarawak Protocol, Ceremonial and Event Management Unit Hamdan Sharbini and Betong Division Resident Richard Michael Abunawas among others.
