Celebrating 30 years of achieving city status

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Taib (front row, sixth left), flanked by Raghad on his left and Sim, joins the other guests on the main stage.

KUCHING: Onlookers descended on the city centre outside Plaza Merdeka on Saturday night as 55 contingents took part in the Kuching City Street Parade 2018 to celebrate 30 years of Kuching achieving city status.

Chan (centre) symbolically hands over the baton to Abang Abdul Wahap, with DBKU playing host next year. At right is MBKS councillor Taufik Ghani.

Led by attention-grabbing big bike groups, most of the contingents brought a quick performance for the gathering of honoured guests led by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib.

Among those present were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui

Hian, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Datuk Bandar of Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai, and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato James Chan.

Participating dance groups perform in front of the VIPs.

With the theme ‘Celebrating in Togetherness’, the event saw the participation of uniformed bodies, school bands, cultural and dance troupes, local authorities, schools and non-governmental organisations.

The groups competed for over RM50,000 in cash prizes under four categories – Cultural Group, Fancy Costume, Fancy Junior Costume, and Band.

The onlookers appeared more than happy to congregate along both sides of the cobblestone road between Plaza Merdeka and Padang Merdeka, with many jockeying for the best position to snap photos or record videos of the colourful and enchanting performances.

Big bikers ride past the grandstand where Taib, Raghad and other distinguished guests are seated.