KUCHING: Some 10,000 people are expected to join in the Sarawak Independence Day rally to be held at Celebration Square, Jalan Stadium, Petrajaya here starting 9am on 22 July.
The rally participants will comprise members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil servants and students. Members of the public are also encourage to join in the event.
Among the guests of honour will be Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, their wives and other dignitaries.
This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian during a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here, yesterday.
“This is the biggest celebration in the state’s calendar of events and also an opportunity for us to celebrate together.
“This is also a chance to recognise our past achievements, to acknowledge the contributions of our fellow Sarawakians, and to assess what are the challenges and things we need to do to fight for Sarawak,” he said.
Dr Sim added that it will be a day for Sarawakians to do something and participate in not only the various activities held but to also celebrate the state’s independence in their own way.
“The key is to increase the number of activities this year as we want them to be people-centric in nature.“We don’t want to be the one organising them all the time so we invited various associations to come and organise with us so that it is also the people’s functions,” he said.
The rally is one of the eight functions that will be held to commemorate the day Sarawak gained independence from the British.
The first of the eight events to be held is the ‘Unity Football Tournament’ from 14 to 15 July at Padang Merdeka which will see 32 teams competing for cash prizes.
Dr Sim will launch the competition on 14 July whereas the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate the closing ceremony.
On 20 July there will be a thanksgiving ceremony at Masjid Darul Hana where 5,000 people are expected to be present including the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg.
At the same time, religious institutions in the state will also hold similar thanksgiving ceremonies in their respective house of worship in all divisions on dates which are suitable to them.
The date 21 July will see the ‘MAKSAK Unity 722 Challenge’ which is open to all MAKSAK women in the state with a concept based on the ‘Amazing Race’ challenge but with a touch of creativity.
At night on the same day, there will be the ‘Sarawak Independence Day Unity Run’ at the Kuching Waterfront which will see the Chief Minister officially flagging-off the 5km-run.
On 22 July, the ‘Sarawak Independence Day Unity Ride’ will be held at Dataran Perayaan and some 700 cyclists are expected to take part in it.
Also on the night of 22 July, there will be the ‘Unity 722 #IbuPertiwiku Concert’ which will start at 8pm at Dataran Perayaan and members of the public are invited to the concert.
Finally, there will be the ‘Ibu Pertiwiku Exhibition’ from 22 to 29 July at Plaza Merdeka which depicts the history of Sarawak during the Brooke era, the formation of Malaysia, the Malaysia Agreement, and up to the present time. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg will declare open the exhibition on 22 July and members of the public are invited to explore the exhibition as well.
Also present during the press conference was Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations, and Project Monitoring, Sharifah Hasidah Syeed Aman Ghazali.
