BY GABRIEL LIHAN & ALVERDTEKOSTER ANYAP
KUCHING: More than 2,000 participants from various non-governmental organisations, schools, and associations put on a show of full colour and creativity at the Kuching Street Parade 2023.
Participants from 60 contingents began their 2.5-kilometre parade from the Travillion Commercial Centre at Jalan Padungan to the old General Post Office building at Jalan Tun Haji Openg.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting flagged off the parade at Travillion Commercial Centre at around 6pm.
Accompanying him were Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan.
For the participants, it was an occasion to celebrate the unity and progress of Sarawak over the years.
One of MBKS staff members, Fredrickson Chin, 27, expressed his excitement to join the parade, showing off his traditional attire, which was in line with the theme of the parade, ‘Sarawak Maju Makmur’.
Another MBKS staff member, Junaidi Ahmad, 44, was also excited to be able to join the parade displaying Sarawak’s beautiful cultural mix of race and culture.
In her bright and colourful costume, Azira Abdul Hadi, 36, was proud to be a part of a 45-member Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) contingent.
She said the contingent wore flora and fauna-themed costumes as they represented the council’s surrounding environment, which was surrounded by pitcher plants and other plants alike.
As the sky over Kuching Waterfront turned into night, the contingents marched on at 8.45pm, displaying their dances and vibrant costumes ranging from traditional to retro to modern.
Witnessing the parade and performances of the contingents were Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and his wife Datin Enn Ong.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.
The night of the parade ended with a spectacular fireworks show from across the Sarawak River and a traditional dance performance.
The winners of the Kuching Street Parade 2023 will be announced on September 9.
