Taib and Ragad jointly cutting His Excelleny’s birthday cake. Also present is Johari (fifth left), Soon Koh (fourth left), Juma’ani (fifth right) and Pauline (fourth right).
SIBU: Despite a rainy start to the day, a sea of people from the various races and walks of life thronged through Sibu Town Square this morning to witnessed the much awaited 82nd birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Present to celebrate the grand occasion with His Excellency was his wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib; Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Datuk Abang Openg and his wife Datuk Amar Datin Patinggi Juma’ani Bujang; Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce, Second Finance Minister and Minister-in-Charge of the celebration activities Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and his wife Datin Sri Pauline Leong; and other invited ministers, assistant ministers and guests.
A total of 121 colourful contingents paraded through the streets of Sibu town under rain as the locals and visitors alike focused on snapping a moment with their smart phone cameras while sheltering their hi-tech gadgets from the rain.
Upon the arrival of His Excellency and Ragad, citizens and participating contingents began proudly singing the National Anthem, ‘Negaraku’ and the State Anthem, ‘Ibu Pertiwiku’ together.
Celebrations were then followed with the inspection of the Guard of Honour by Taib and an inspection of the participating continents by Taib accompanied by Johari.
After the Chief Minister’s delivered his speech, the programme was followed with a chanting of ‘Dirgahayu’ by all the participating contingents before proceeding the highlight of the event – the cake cutting ceremony in conjunction with his Excellency 82nd birthday celebration.
After the ceremony, the sea of people gathered today were then greeted with a colourful grand parade and various presentations by the participating contingents and schools.