KUCHING: The rehearsal for the parade commemorating the 60th Sarawak Merdeka celebration took place smoothly at Padang Merdeka here on Tuesday (July 18).
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communications Unit or UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, who oversees the parade, inspected the preparations to ensure a seamless event scheduled for July 22.
“A total of 75 contingents are set to participate in the parade, with 60 contingents representing various government departments, agencies, and non-governmental organisations.
“Additionally, there will be six special contingents and seven security and public defence contingents,” he said.
Despite being the first day of the rehearsal, participating contingents have been practicing for the past two or three weeks.
“This year’s parade stands out from previous ones as each contingent will perform to songs representing different eras, including the 60s, 80s, and modern times,” Abdullah added.
During the celebration day itself, an evening Konsert Rakyat (People’s Concert) will feature performances by Sarawakian artists, including Chien Gale, Carrie Geres, Firdaus Materang, Bob Yunus, Ramles Walter, Elizebeth Payai, and Masterpiece. The concert will also include performances by Floor 88, Dolla, Datuk Awie, and the Indonesian band Ungu.
In addition to the parade, there will be a rehearsal session for the stage events, such as a special Sarawak Day video screening, the flag-handing ceremony, the Sarawak flag-raising ceremony, a special performance by the Sarawak Art Council (SAC), and the theme song for the 60th Anniversary of Sarawak Independence, ‘Sarawak Maju Makmur’, performed by the SAC choir.
