KUCHING: Sarawak achieved yet another milestone as it carolled itself into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBoR) after 2,479 participants and carollers at Padang Merdeka here last night (Dec 3).
The ‘A Christmas Carol, Sarawak in Diversity’ event started at 8.15 pm as carollers and participants surpassed the initial target of 1,500.
Various churches, associations and religious communities were present, including St. Ann Church, Association of Churches Sarawak, St Mark Church, St Joseph Cathedral, Holy Trinity Church, Sarawak Evangelical Church and Sarawak Blessed Church (SECA), Ngajat Asal Iban (NGASI) Association, the Taoist community, the Buddhist community, the Hindu community, the Sikh community and the Baha’i community.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, officiated at the lighting ceremony of the large Christmas tree.
He was accompanied by the Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Datuk Liwan Lagang; Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu; and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Deputy State Secretary Datuk Hii Chang Kee, Kuching South City Council mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Datuk Jack Aman Luat and Kuching Roman Catholic Archbishop Simon Po were also present.
The first carols performed during the night were ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Feliz Navidad’, ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’, ‘Carols of the Bells’, ‘Deck the Halls’, followed by ‘12 Days of Christmas’ and ‘Last Christmas’. The performance ended with ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ again.
The ‘A Christmas Carol, Sarawak in Diversity’ event was organised by Unifor and supported by TV Sarawak and will be aired on Dec 23.
