KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has called for collaboration with stakeholders, particularly hotel operators and tourism service providers, to promote the monthly Ibu Pertiwi Flag-Raising Ceremony.
He said the ceremony not only fosters patriotism but also serves as a point of pride for Sarawak.
“The state’s diversity, as highlighted in today’s cultural dance performances featuring ethnic groups from Kedayan, Bisaya, Tagal, and Lun Bawang, has the potential to draw tourists.
“I encourage collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including hotels, to ensure their guests are informed about the ceremony.
“Additionally, setting a fixed schedule for this event could attract tourists, similar to how the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London draws visitors,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after officiating the monthly Ibu Pertiwi flag raising ceremony at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi here today (Nov 17).
The ceremony was further enlivened by captivating ethnic dance performances from the Kedayan, Lun Bawang, Bisaya, and Tagal communities, along with displays of silat martial arts.
The monthly Ibu Pertiwi Flag-Raising Ceremony serves as a symbol of respect for the emblem of Sarawak’s sovereignty.
Additionally, Sarawak has made history by securing a place in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for the Ibu Pertiwi Flagpole, which, at 99.4 metres, is the tallest in both Southeast Asia and Malaysia.
Also present were State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (Utility) and Minister responsible for Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, DBKU Mayor Datuk Hilmy Othman and Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki.