KUCHING: Sarawak will host a grand celebration in conjunction with the 79th birthday of Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, with a series of official ceremonies and state events held here from October 9 to 12.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is the minister in charge of the celebration, said seven major programmes have been lined up to mark the occasion.
“This is a very significant annual milestone event for us as we celebrate the birthday of our Head of State.
“My ministry has been entrusted to oversee the entire celebration, which includes thanksgiving prayers, interfaith thanksgiving ceremonies, the Parade and Grand Gathering, the investiture of state awards, the state banquet, the Konsert Rakyat, and the tea reception,” he said.
He said this during a press conference at Grand Margherita Hotel here today.
Abdul Karim said that the celebration is not only about honouring Wan Junaidi but also about strengthening unity among Sarawakians.
“It is our hope that these events will not only honour His Excellency on his special day but also allow the people of Sarawak to join in the celebrations and share in the joy of this important occasion,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the highlight will be on October 11, starting with the Parade and Grand Gathering that will start at 8:00 am at Padang Merdeka here.
“The event will involve more than 100 contingents from security forces, government departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and others.
“At 11:00 am, the Investiture Ceremony for State Awards will be held at the Astana Negeri Banquet Hall, presided over by His Excellency.
“Later that evening, the State Banquet will take place at 8:00 pm at the Dewan Santapan, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex. At the same time, the Konsert Rakyat will be held at Padang Merdeka, featuring popular artistes from Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, followed by a fireworks display,” he said.
Earlier, he said that the programmes will begin on October 9 with thanksgiving prayers at Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak, attended by His Excellency and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“On October 10, mosques across the state will deliver a special Friday sermon while the Interfaith Thanksgiving Ceremony will take place at the Imperial Hotel here,” he said.
He said the celebration will conclude on October 12 with a tea reception at Riverside Majestic Hotel here, during which contributions will be presented to 120 orphans and underprivileged children.
The Parade and Grand Gathering, along with the Konsert Rakyat, will be broadcast live on TVS (Astro Channel 122 and MyTV) and streamed on the official Facebook and YouTube channels of the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), allowing Sarawakians across the state to join in the celebration.
