Man-of-the-moment Taib cuts the cake, watched by his wife and State Cabinet ministers on his right, opposite their spouses.
MIRI: A ‘Happy Birthday’ song reverberated throughout Miri Indoor Stadium as Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib proceeded to leave the stadium.
The couple waved to a crowd of over 6,000 in acknowledgement of their efforts and presence at the 80th birthday celebration of the former chief minister of Sarawak.
The joyful occasion featured Sarawak’s first Olympic silver medallist diver Pandelela Rinong leading the Sarawak Sports Corporation contingent; the crowd showing their admiration by applauding and many could not resist capturing the scene with their smartphone cameras.
It was a riot of colours with large screens at the stadium capturing the colourful event for the crowd to see.
Organising committee chairman Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, welcomed Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu upon their arrival at the stadium at 7.50am.
The Head of State and entourage arrived at 8am sharp to a stadium filled with 80 contingents decked out in a myriad of colour.
The ceremony kicked off with a fly-past by three helicopters, the first bearing the state flag.
The guard-of-honour gave the royal salute while the state anthem was played by the Royal Police brass band.
This was followed by the Head of State inspecting the guard-of-honour.
Adenan, in his speech, paid tribute to Taib for his contributions to a prosperous and harmonious state.
He also touched on regaining eroded state rights, economic direction and lamented shortcomings that need to be addressed under his watch.
“I look forward to our Head of State celebrating his 100th birthday though I am not sure if I would be around to see it,” he quipped.
Present were State Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nassar; Deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Abang Abang Johari Tun Openg and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing; Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and Minister of Local Government Datuk Dr Sim Hui Kian.