By Nurhauni Lee Abdullah
SIBU: The annual Sibu Division Christmas parade took off at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang here on Saturday night.
About 8,000 Christians gathered to participate in the parade which was organised by the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) Sibu Branch and hosted by the Methodist Church this year.
Crowds were seen gathering as early as 5pm, an hour earlier than the scheduled time ― 6pm.
This year’s theme for the parade was ‘God So Loves The World’.
Sarawak Iban Methodist Annual Conference (Siac) officiated at the event.
Christmas hymns were sung in a song service led by Masland Methodist Church. It was then followed by an opening prayer by Siac president Steward Damat.
Reverend Thomas Lau Sie Ngiu delivered a Christmas message while ACS Sibu Branch’s Reverend Monsignor Micheal Lee Hock Chai led the scripture reading.
A candle-lighting ceremony was held after that to officially launch the parade at 7pm.
Among those present at the parade were Sibu Resident Charles Siaw and political secretary to the Chief Minister Michael Tiang.
Beautifully decorated vehicles for the parade. 
Siaw (centre) and Tiang (second left) at the parade. 
A section of the crowd at the annual event. A section of the crowd at the annual event. A section of the crowd at the annual event. A family dressed in bright red ready to join the parade. Tiang (third right), Siaw (second right) and others getting ready to light a candle to launch the parade. 
Tiang (second left), Siaw (fourth left), Steward (left) and others sing Christmas hymns. Families join the fun. Vehicles with lights and decorations. People with disabilities also join the parade. Some of the happy faces at the parade. Crowd throng the Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang in Sibu for the annual Christmas parade.
