ASAJAYA: Pesta Asajaya 2026 drew its biggest crowd yet as residents and visitors turned out in force for three days of entertainment, community activities and celebrations culminating in the Merdeka eve concert on Sunday (Aug 30).
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, said he had never witnessed such a large crowd at an event in the area.
“In all my time as an elected representative here, I have never seen such a grand event or such a massive crowd as the one gathered tonight,” he said during the closing ceremony.
Abdul Karim said the strong turnout reflected the community’s continued support for programmes that brought people together, particularly as Asajaya marked the eve of Merdeka.
The three-day festival, held from Aug 28 to 30, featured a wide range of activities spanning entertainment, culture, sports, education and community services.
Asajaya District Officer and Asajaya Festival 2026 Organising Committee chairman Jerry Zannuddin Bidin said this year’s festival was organised on a larger scale compared with previous editions.
“What makes it extra special this year is that our Pesta Asajaya was organised on a different scale compared to previous editions.
“As you can all see over these three days, our performances, stage setup, lighting, and organising capacity have been completely different,” he said.
Jerry said the festival was also included in the state’s tourism calendar and formed part of celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of Samarahan becoming a division.
The festival opened on August 28 with sales stalls and Asajaya Kitchen, aimed at providing opportunities for local traders, particularly those from Asajaya and Sadong Jaya, to generate additional income.
Around 40 exhibition booths involving government agencies were also set up throughout the festival, providing various services to local residents.
Other activities included Asajaya Idol, an auto show, fishing, futsal, silat, slingshot, cooking and colouring competitions, alongside religious programmes including a main religious lecture and the festival’s opening ceremony.
“Tonight marks the climax and closing of the Pesta Asajaya. The main highlight tonight is the orchestra concert for the Ambang Merdeka (Eve of Independence) , titled “Dekat di Hati”, he added.
The final night concert brought the Sarawak State Symphony Orchestra (SONS) to Asajaya for what Jerry described as the first concert of its scale to be held in the district.
“I believe this is the very first time a concert of this scale has been held here. We express our heartfelt thanks to the Ministry and the Arts Council for making this possible, as it offers a unique experience and great exposure for the people of Asajaya,” he said.
Abdul Karim also highlighted the significance of bringing SONS to Asajaya, noting that the orchestra had traditionally performed in major urban centres but had increasingly travelled to other parts of Sarawak.
“It is rare for them to perform outside major towns, as they usually perform in urban centres.
“However, when Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg assumed office, he entrusted me and the Arts Council with enhancing the presence of SONS,” he said.
The festival concluded with the Merdeka eve celebration, with fireworks lighting up the sky at midnight as August 31 arrived.
