KUCHING: This year’s Malaysia Day state-level celebration will be broadcast live on Sarawak Public Communications Unit’s (Ukas) Facebook page, TV Sarawak (TVS) and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) on Sept 16 at 8.30pm.
Only 100 people, including Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, will be in at tendance as per Covid-19 health and safety standard operating procedure.
The venue is Dewan Santapan, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building, Petra Jaya here.
“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, state Cabinet members and other guests will also be attending,” Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin told the media on Thursday (Sept 9).
Lee, who is the minister in charge of handling the state-level do, added: “Just like last year, the theme is ‘Malaysia Prihatin’ as we are still battling Covid-19.”
He said ‘Malaysia Prihatin’ reflected what the federal and state governments had done together in providing various assistance and creating various initiatives to ease the burden of the people.
Besides that, he said through the National Recovery Plan strategy, the theme of ‘Malaysia Menang Bersama’ was introduced as the main goal of the government to win the fight against Covid-19.
“To further intensify our unity as Malaysians, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently announced the ‘Malaysian Family’ concept, which is inclusive, close to the people and shows care and love for all citizens as we face the Covid-19 crisis as well as the current economic situation.
“These themes and concepts invite all Malaysians to appreciate the similarities and not the differences so that we can rebuild the country and together show solidarity.”
Lee stressed that the celebration was important because it was a reminder to Malaysians of the historical events that took place on Sept 16, 1963.
“On that day, a country called Malaysia was born and this celebration is our appreciation for the contributions and struggles of our past leaders in building Malaysia.
“Organising such an event is also important because it provides an opportunity for the people, especially the younger generation, to learn and remember historical events so that they better understand and appreciate the struggles of past leaders who contributed to the development of Malaysia.”
Also present at the press conference were Assistant Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Rosey Yunus, Assistant Local Government Minister Datuk Penguang Manggil, and Assistant Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting, as well as Protocols, Ceremonies and State Events Management Unit deputy director Hamdan Sharbini.
