Thousands gather to celebrate Sarawak Day
KUCHING: Thousands of people flocked to Celebration Square near the State Stadium here yesterday morning as Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud led the state’s Sarawak Day celebration.
The event kicked off with the singing of the ‘Negaraku’ and ‘Ibu Pertiwiku’, followed by a prayer recital and opening performances.
The celebration included song and dance performances as well as a video presentation of the untold history of Sarawak.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was on hand to deliver his speech before joining Taib and others on stage for the launch gimmick.
Joining the thousands of Sarawakians to mark the special day were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, State Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani as well as other state and federal dignitaries.
The Sarawak Day celebration started on July 14 with the 722 Sarawak Unity Futsal Tournament, thanksgiving celebration at all houses of worship on July 20, Maksak Unity 722 Challenge and 722 Sarawak Independence Day Unity Run on Saturday.
There was also a Unity 722 #Ibupertiwiku concert yesterday night as well as the Ibu Pertiwiku Exhibition, which started yesterday and runs till July 29, at Plaza Merdeka.
On July 22, 1963, Sarawak was granted self government by the British when the first Sarawak cabinet was appointed to administer the territory whereby a proclamation was issued to form a new Supreme Council.
The first Sarawak cabinet was led by Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan as chief minister and assisted by five ministers, who were responsible for laying the foundation of Sarawak’s development.
Sarawak, along with Malaya, North Borneo (Sabah) and Singapore, formed Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963. Singapore left the federation to become an independent republic on Aug 9, 1965.