Sarawak’s 52nd Independence Day celebration historic of sorts
KUCHING: Sarawak celebrated her 52nd Independence Day on Wednesday. Whether it was official or not, the ‘commemoration’ was still historic of sorts.
It was celebrated in a couple of places, and that alone is something that had never happened before.
At the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) complex, Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Alfred Jabu Numpang dressed up in white to commemorate the occasion.
Themed ‘July 22 Sarawak Merdeka’, those present were invited. It was not opened to the public. Most of those present were government officials and associates.
At the Song Kheng Hai Recreation Field in Padungan, over 5,000 people gathered there for the ‘celebration’. The event was put together by the Sarawak for Sarawak ( S4S) movement in collaboration with Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia).
The participants started gathering at the field as early as early as 7.30am. All present later assembled to form the figures `S4S’ and `722’ on the field.
Several hundreds of them later gathered at Padang Merdeka while the rest dispersed peacefully.
Those who came from other parts of the state for the ‘celebration’ arrived at the city in style. Some of them rode bicycles that were decorated with S4S banners and the old Sarawak flags.
Meanwhile, at the Kuching Waterfront, Sarawak Malay Graduates Association and Malay Cultural Foundation Charitable Trust held a pantomime on Sarawak’s independence.
Themed `Pantomine 227: Steps towards Independence of Sarawak”, their effort attracted passers-by, including tourists.
No untoward incidents were reported yesterday.
In the run up to yesterday’s event, similar rallies were in Miri and Sibu recently.
Sarawak gained independence from British colonial rule on July 22, 1963.
Sarawak’s first Cabinet under then Chief Minister Tan Sri Dato Stephen Kalong Ningkan led Sarawak to self government. It was the first time the then Supreme Council (Cabinet) was presided by a chief minister, instead of a colonial governor.