Head of State celebrates birthday in style

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Taib and Ragad cut the birthday cake, as Adenan (third left), Jabu (second left), Wong (left), Jamilah (second right) and Leong (right) look on.

Taib and Ragad cut the birthday cake, as Adenan (third left), Jabu (second left), Wong (left), Jamilah (second right) and Leong (right) look on.

SIBU: A sea of people from all walks of life converged on Sibu Town Square to witness the much-awaited 79th birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud here yesterday.

He arrived here with his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib.

The colourful event was also attended by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Local Government and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and wife Datin Sri Pauline Leong, along with other ministers, assistant ministers and invited guests.

Over 105 contingents paraded through the streets here as locals and visitors alike whipped out their smartphones to capture the moment.

Members from the Sibu Melanau Association all dressed in their traditional costumes.

Members from the Sibu Melanau Association all dressed in their traditional costumes.

Upon the arrival of Taib and Ragad, all those in attendance proudly sang the national anthem ‘Negaraku’ together, followed by the state anthem ‘Ibu Pertiwiku’.

Taib later inspected the guard of honour, before proceeding to meet the contingents. He was accompanied by Adenan throughout the ceremony.

Adenan then delivered a speech, which was later followed by three shouts of ‘Dirgahayu’ by members of the participating contingents.

The highlight of the event was the cake-cutting ceremony by Taib and Ragad.

The spectators were later treated to a grand parade by the participating contingents as well as performances by school students.

Members of the Land and Survey Department in their classic ‘old-school’ uniforms.

Members of the Land and Survey Department in their classic ‘old-school’ uniforms.

Members of the Local Government and Community Development Ministry contingent take part in the pledge ceremony.

Members of the Local Government and Community Development Ministry contingent take part in the pledge ceremony.

Soldiers in their full battle gear move in sync during the parade.

Soldiers in their full battle gear move in sync during the parade.

The PBB contingent with their party flags. — Photos by Othman Ishak

The PBB contingent with their party flags. — Photos by Othman Ishak

Members of the Kolej ITA Sibu contingent stand at attention.

Members of the Kolej ITA Sibu contingent stand at attention.

Members of the police motorcycle unit with their ‘roaring’ machines during the parade.

Members of the police motorcycle unit with their ‘roaring’ machines during the parade.

Spectators watch the colourful parade with joy and excitement.

Spectators watch the colourful parade with joy and excitement.