BINTULU: The oil and gas town is all set to host this year’s Sarawak Day Celebration 2019 centred here.
This is the first time that the celebration is hosted outside Kuching and is a pride to Bintulu people who have the opportunity to witness all the events lined up for three days starting from July 20, culminating with the Sarawak Day Rally at Bintulu Old Airport in the morning of July 22.
Sarawak Day celebration is organised by the state government to commemorate the day Sarawak was finally given the authority for self-governance by the British government in 1963.
Billboards, fishtails, and the Sarawak flags are being hoisted around strategic areas in the town while preparation works for the July 22 event are ongoing at various locations.
In total, there are seven main events to mark this year’s celebration starting with Sarawak Day e-sport tournament (20-22 July), Love Sarawak Through History (20-21 July), Sarawak Day Run (21 July), Majlis Kesyukuran Hari Sarawak (21 July), Konsert Kamek Sayang Sarawak (21 July), Perhimpunan Hari Sarawak (22 July) and Sarawak Day exhibition (23-28 July).
On July 22, the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib will arrive around 9.15am and they will be welcomed by the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, along with other state dignitaries.
Soon after, there will be a special entertainment presentation coordinated by the Sarawak Arts Council followed by a welcoming speech by the Utilities Minister cum minister-in-charge of the celebration, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
Then, the Chief Minister will be invited to give his address to the people to be followed by a video presentation giving an insight on the state’s overall development.
Next is the Sarawak Flag raising ceremony before a launching gimmick is performed, to be followed by a final presentation to mark the end of the event.
Later Abdul Taib, accompanied by the Chief Minister will grace the launching of the Sarawak Day exhibition at nearby Naim Bintulu Paragon.
The Chief Minister will officially close the e-sport tournament at the same venue.
