SIBU: Thousands gathered at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 1 last night (August 30) for the Sarawak-level National Day Countdown concert.
Visitors began arriving as early as 6 pm to buy food and secure prime spots in front of the stage for the best view of the performances.
Nur Almeera Alya Ateng, 36, expressed her excitement about celebrating Merdeka in Sibu this year.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to teach our children about the meaning of independence,” she told Sarawak Tribune.
Nur Almeera also said that due to the large turnout, she and her sister had to park far away and walk to the venue.
“The food on sale is delicious, and tonight, we are just enjoying the performances. The atmosphere is very lively,” she said.
Meanwhile, Noraidil Fitri Haris, 37, also brought his family to experience the concert.
“This year’s event feels more festive compared to last year, so we decided to bring our children to enjoy the performances,” he said.
Dayang Ratna Awang Ibrahim, 50, came prepared with chairs and a table for herself and her two daughters, setting up in the middle of Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang to enjoy the show.
“It is rare to see such a vibrant Independence Day celebration in Sibu. It’s relaxing and fun to watch a live concert like this. I was especially excited to see Baby Shima perform,” she said.
The event featured a captivating ethnic performance by D’Sibu Tari, which delighted the crowd.
The evening was further enhanced by pop and jazz performances from the Simfoni Orkestra Negeri Sarawak (SONS).
Popular local artists, including Firdaus Materang, Ng Chien Chien, Sazia Selair, and Mal Imran, also contributed to the joyful atmosphere.
The highlight of the night was guest artist Baby Shima’s performance, which added even more excitement to the National Day celebration.
The Sarawak-level National Day Countdown concert concluded with a stunning fireworks display that left the audience in awe.
