KUCHING: The 79th birthday celebration of the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, concluded Sunday with a heartwarming tea reception, bringing the week-long festivities to a memorable close.
The event, held at the Sarawak Chambers, Riverside Majestic Hotel, was attended by dignitaries, family members, and guests who gathered to share in the joyous occasion.
Among those present were Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, accompanied by his daughter, Dayang Nurjihan; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who also served as the Minister-in-Charge of the celebration, accompanied by his wife Datin Sri Zuraini Abdul Jaabar.
The ceremony began with a recital of prayers, followed by the symbolic cutting of the Pulut Kuning birthday cake, with the Premier and other dignitaries joining in to mark the special moment.
A key highlight of the tea reception was a community outreach initiative, where Wan Junaidi and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi personally presented cash and hamper contributions to 120 poor families and underprivileged students from across the Kuching Division.
The cash contributions were jointly sponsored by the Astana Negeri Sarawak and the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKM), while the festive hampers were generously contributed by Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS).
The celebration was further enlivened by musical and cultural performances, creating a warm, festive atmosphere throughout the morning.
Guests were also treated to a special video montage featuring heartfelt birthday wishes dedicated to the Head of State.
The tea reception marked the grand conclusion of this year’s Head of State’s birthday celebrations, which began with the thanksgiving ceremony at Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak on Oct 9.
