KUCHING: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) has selected Sarawak as the centrepiece of its 70th anniversary celebrations.
This marks the first time its flagship ‘Kembara MADANI Bahasa dan Sastera’ (KEMBARA) programme comes to the Land of the Hornbills.
The Sarawak leg runs from June 15 to 22 across three locations – Daro, Gedong and Kuching – making it unique among all KEMBARA zones this year.
DBP Director-General, Dr Hazami Jahari, announced the plans at a press conference today (April 17) at DBP Sarawak Branch.
He described the Sarawak edition as especially meaningful given the state’s rich multiracial fabric and its role as host of the official 70th anniversary gala.
“The struggle to develop the national language is the shared task of all Malaysians, regardless of state, race, or political affiliation,” he said.
The KEMBARA Sarawak itinerary begins at Daro on June 15-16, moves to Gedong on June 17-18 and continues at Kuching on June 19-20.
The grand finale takes place on June 22 at Hotel Pullman, Kuching, and will be officiated by Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Each stop will feature programmes including ‘Majalah Dalam Kelas’ for students, ‘Sahabat Kata’ for vocabulary learning, ‘Seronoknya Membaca’ reading activities, ‘Penghayatan Puisi’ poetry competitions, and ‘Pertandingan Lagu Rakyat’ folk song contests.
Cultural evenings under ‘Malam Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa’ and community activities like cycling, fishing, and boat racing will also be held at each location.
This marks the third consecutive year DBP has held anniversary celebrations outside Kuala Lumpur, following Pulau Pinang in 2024 and Sabah in 2025.
KEMBARA 2026 is a nationwide journey that has already visited Negeri Sembilan and will continue to Kedah, Terengganu, Sabah in July, and conclude in Johor in August.
Several new initiatives debut in Sarawak, including the ‘Dana Silang Budaya Pelbagai Kaum’ which funds Malay language activities in private and vernacular schools.
The ‘Naskhah Budi MADANI’ programme will distribute book grants to schools and communities in need, while the ‘Sekolah Angkat DBP’ initiative will formally adopt Sarawak schools among 22 nationwide.
The June 22 date holds special significance as it marks DBP’s official anniversary each year, making the Kuching gala the national centrepiece of the 70th anniversary celebrations.
