Malaysia Day celebration shifts to indoor stadium due to haze
KUCHING: The venue for the national-level Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16 has been shifted from Padang Merdeka to Stadium Perpaduan in Petrajaya here.
In light of the prevailing haze shrouding Kuching city, the organising committee decided that it was not suitable to hold the celebrations at an open air venue, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
“After being briefed by the Meteorological Department, Natural Resources and Environmental Board and the Department of Environment on the haze situation, we have no choice but to relocate the celebration to the Indoor Stadium because of health issues. It is forecasted that the haze problem will continue until the end of September and worst still, the wind direction is still moving towards Sarawak.
“We do not know the situation come Sept 16, and while there have been no hotspots detected in Sarawak, we cannot put the health of the public at risk if the air pollutant index (API) rises above 200.
Thus, it is not suitable that we hold the Malaysia Day event at Padang Merdeka. However, we (the organising committee) will still give our best to ensure that this Malaysia Day celebration will be another success,” Awang Tengah said in a press conference at Hornbill Skyways yesterday.
Awang Tengah also assured that the main highlights would remain the same as the ones planned for Padang Merdeka.
“It will comprise performances such as the beat of 300 drums, raising of the Jalur Gemilang, shadowplay and the Kembara Merdeka Convoy, which promises to be a colourful and meaningful event,” Awang Tengah stated.
He added that depending on the weather on the day, there would be a float procession which would start at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and go through the Kuching Waterfront before ending at Icomm Square.
The guests of honour for the event would be Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib and state and federal dignitaries would be attending the celebration, Awang Tengah added.