Abdul Karim shows the logo for the 60th anniversary celebration of Sarawak’s independence in Malaysia. – Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING (March 24): Activities for the special celebration to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Sarawak’s independence within Malaysia will begin at the end of May, said Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said the activities will be held after the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting which will start on May 17 until 26.
“In early May, we will be involved with the World Craft Expo in London, United Kingdom, and it is learnt that Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) will also be attending certain programmes in London, and he will be visiting the expo because Sarawak is the only state (from Malaysia) to be involved in the expo, alongside Istana Negara.
“Mid-May, we will be holding our DUN sitting should there are no changes in the time, and at the month’s end, after the DUN sitting has concluded, then the celebration activities will begin,” he told a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Petra Jaya here this afternoon.
Abdul Karim said there will be nine activities to be held in conjunction with the celebration.
It will begin with the ‘Kembara Sarawak Merdeka’ Convoy and the Sarawak 60 years Digital Exhibition, to take place from May 28 to July 22 throughout the state’s divisions.
This is then followed by a thanksgiving ceremony on July 21, to take place in mosques and houses of worship in all divisions.
Assemblies and parades will be held at Padang Merdeka on July 22 at 8.30am, followed by the presentation of commemorative medals on July 22 at Waterfront Hotel here at 11.30am.
On the same day, a state dinner will be held at the DUN building at 8pm, and at the same time the ‘Konsert Rakyat’ and fireworks show will be held at Padang Merdeka.
“On July 29, there will be a decorated ships parade at Kuching Waterfront at 8pm.
“Street parades will also be held on August 5 in Kuching, August 12 in Sibu and August 19 in Miri,” Abdul Karim said.
The theme for the anniversary celebration is ‘Sarawak Maju Makmur’, he added.
Among those present at the press conference were Deputy Ministers for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting and Datuk Snowdan Lawan; Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development I, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu; Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (Utility) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; and Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Henry Harry Jinep.