Dr Rundi (centre) fields questions from the media.
KUCHING: Bintulu will host the state-level National Day celebration on Aug 31, with Dewan Suarah as the main venue.
Minister for Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi is the minister-in-charge of the event and is assisted by Assistant Minister of Native Laws and Customs Datuk John Sikie Tayai and Assistant Minister of Water Supply Liwan Lagang.
“A Majlis Kesyukuran (thanksgiving) at Masjid Assyakin will be held at 6pm on Aug 30 with the arrival of ministers, guests and others,” Dr Rundi told a press conference here yesterday.
Head of State Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib and Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang will arrive about 6.30pm.
The prayer service will start with Azan, followed by Solat Fardhu Maghrib, Tahlil, Doa Kesyukuran and Takzirah Kebangsaan. After that will be the Azan and Solat Fardu Isyak Berjemaah before they adjourn for dinner with other non-Muslim guests, Dr Rundi said.
At 7am the next day (Aug 31), will see the arrival of 80 contingents taking part in the rally and parade.
More than 3,000 people are involved in the rally – from the public and private sectors, NGOs, uniformed and non-uniformed bodies and students.
The guests of honour will be Taib and Raghad. Soon after their arrival, the state anthem will be played followed by a welcoming performance.
After the Doa (prayer), the contingents will begin the march past. Then, the chief minister will deliver his speech.
After that, Taib will be invited to perform the launching ceremony and cut a birthday cake to be presented by 81 pupils.
This will be followed by the singing of the national anthem.
Meanwhile, in the evening of Aug 30, a concert for members of the public will be held at Bintulu Esplanade, which will feature famous local artistes such as Bob Yusuf of Akademi Fantasia fame, Nurul Shida, Nurafizah Busman, Mail Imran, Dayangku Fadillah, Ricky Anderson, Band D’Cipta, Fikon Group and others. It will start at 8pm.
“Members of public are encouraged to fly the national and state flags to show support to the event and to celebrate the National Day,” said Dr Rundi.