Sarawak head of state's birthday celebration shifts to Petra Jaya

KUCHING: The parade and rally to be held in conjunction with Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud's 81st birthday celebration on Sept 9 has been shifted to the Celebration Square next to the Sarawak Stadium in Petra Jaya here.
Minister-in-charge of the three-day celebration Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the change of venue was because the historic Padang Merdeka here was undergoing some works.
He said the celebration would see six segments of the grand event, starting on Sept 8 with the thanksgiving prayer at the Masjid Jamek, Petra Jaya, which will be joined by Abdul Taib and his wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Amar Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang as well as other Cabinet ministers.
On Sept 9 the grand parade and rally, which is one of the highlights of the celebration, will start from 8 am at the Celebration Square, with a total of 81 contingents talking part, signifying the Head of State's age with each contingent to comprise 44 persons.
"So there will be almost 4,000 people involved who are drawn from the public and private sectors, non-governmental organisations, uniformed and non-uniformed bodies and students," he said at a press conference here today.
Awang Tengah said after the rally and parade at the Celebration Square, Abdul Taib would adjourn to the State Legislative Assembly Complex to present various state awards and medals to recipients.
Later in the evening, Abdul Taib and his wife and the chief minister and his wife will attend a state dinner at the same venue.
Meanwhile in the same evening a live concert for the public starting at 7.30pm will also be held at the Celebration Square which promises popular singers such as Azharina (champion of Gegar Vaganza 2016), Bob (Akademi Fantasia), Ricky Andrewson (Iban singer) and many others.
Meanwhile on Sept 10, Abdul Taib will attend a high tea reception at the Waterfront Hotel here where he will represent gifts to 200 underprivileged and later launch two segments of an exhibition — "Pameran Dirgahayu" and "Raja Kita" (Our King) simultaneously at the atrium of the Merdeka Plaza Shopping Mall.
The exhibition is being held in conjunction with the Head of State's 81st birthday and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's official birthday on the same day (Sept 9). — Bernama