KUCHING: The four-day birthday celebration of the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud kicks off this Friday (September 8) with Maghrib and Isya’ prayers at Masjid Jamek in Petra Jaya near here.
The Maghrib and Isya’ prayers will be followed by the Thanksgiving Prayer.
Taib will be arriving at Masjid Jamek at 6.30pm with his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajjah Ragad Kurdi Taib and other Muslim distinguished guests.
Non-Muslim guests of honour will join the dinner held at the same venue at about 8.00pm.
On the day of the birthday (September 9), different events will be held at the Celebration Square (Jalan Stadium) and at the Old State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
“In the morning, we will have the grand parade and rally at the Celebration Square at 8.00am.
“81 contingents with 44 members each from different public and private departments as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will be participating in the parade and rally.
“The highlight of the event will see Tun Pehin Sri Taib cutting his birthday cake which is presented by 81 pupils accompanied by pyro salute and balloons release.
“There will also be a 17-gun salute fired by the armed forces as well as a 15-minute dance performance,” Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan told a press conference at the State Stadium here yesterday. After the ceremony at the Celebration Square, Taib will proceed to the Old DUN (Dewan Lapau) at about 11.00am to present various state awards and medals to the recipients.
In the evening, there will be a dinner at Dewan Santapan at the present State Legislative Assembly. Taib will cut another cake again at the event.
“Lastly. on 10 September, Tun Pehin Sri Taib will be attending a High Tea reception at the Waterfront Hotel and present gifts to 200 underprivileged.
“He will also launch two exhibitions, Pameran Dirgahayu and Raja Kita (Our King) simultaneously at the atrium of Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall,” said Tengah.
Also present at the press conference yesterday were Assistant Minister of Transportation, Datuk Dr. Jerip Susil, Assistant Minister of Coastal Road, Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Minister of Native Land Development, Datuk Roland Sagah and Assistant Minister of State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring, Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
