KUCHING: A total of 115 contingents comprising 4,000 participants are expected at the parade to mark the birthday of the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak at the Padang Merdeka here tomorrow.
Scooter riders are seen making their way to the parade.
Members of the National Service march with pride during the dress rehearsal.
The dry run of the birthday celebration went well yesterday under the supervision of Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also Minister of Housing.
Among the contingents extending their respect to Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud during his first official birthday celebration as Head of State would be Royal Malaysian Police, Royal Malaysian Army, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Rela, National Services, Yayasan Sarawak, Land and Survey Department, Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), PBB, PRS, SUPP, SPDP, Telekom Malaysia, Petronas, Bank Simpanan Nasional, RHB Bank and community leaders.
The parade will be completed with the presentation of various automobiles including scooters, big bikes, various units of Mini Cooper and Volkswagen as well as official engines such as police patrol units, Bomba fire engines and tanks.
A number of performances will be staged after the official remarks of Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem.
Speaking at a news conference after the dress rehearsal at the Padang Merdeka here yesterday, Abang Johari said the upcoming celebration “is special” given that it marks the first official birthday celebration since Taib was sworn in as the seventh Head of State in March this year.
Themed ‘Unity in Diversity’, he said people of diverse cultures and backgrounds had been invited to the celebration.
“Definitely, we want to extend our love and care on his birthday and I invite all people irrespective of race and culture to join the celebration on Sept 13, this Saturday.
“I invite people especially those in this city to witness the parade, which will be colourful and one that portrays the culture of Sarawak with people living harmoniously.”
Abang Johari pointed out the coming event “is special” as it also marks the first time such celebration is graced by Sarawak’s new chief minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem.
Adenan was sworn in as the fifth chief minister of Sarawak on Feb 28 this year.
“Apart from the parade and the state banquet to mark the birthday celebration, we have also lined up a special programme to extend the highest appreciation to the Head of State at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sept 20.
“This function will be for all the races in Sarawak to record millions of thanks to our now
TYT, who served as the chief minister of Sarawak for 33 years.”
Abang Johari said the special programme would remind the community of the tremendous efforts of Taib, who had steered Sarawak towards a developed state.
“He has laid the foundation for Sarawak up to the year 2030.”