MIRI: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Seri Abdul Taib Mahmud marked his 83rd birthday yesterday with a colourful parade.
The celebration featured 106 contingents.
The crowd, said to number about 8,000, thronged the Miri Stadium where the march-past was held.
A human graphic performance by 800 performers, coordinated by Sarawak Arts Council (MSS), was part of the colourful show.
Among those present were Tun Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib; Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; his deputies Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; and other Cabinet ministers, Miri mayor Adam Yii and heads of departments.
The ceremony commenced at 8am with the Head of State receiving a salute by the guard of honour mounted by the Royal Malay Regiment followed by the national anthem Negaraku, the state anthem Ibu Pertiwiku and a 17-cannon salute.
Taib proceeded to inspect the contingents after that.
Following the parade yesterday, an investiture ceremony was held at Mega Hotel followed by a dinner reception at Pullman Hotel Miri.
Various activities were lined up in conjunction with the celebration including a ‘Konsert Rakyat’ which was held by the seaside at Miri Coco Cabana featuring popular singers Ricky Andrewson, Melissa Francis, Bibiyanti, Siti Hajar, Raquel, Firdaus Materang and Norafizah Busman.
A special photo exhibition, ‘Dirgahayu Exhibition’ took place at Pustaka Miri from later yesterday until Oct 18. The showcase features a hundred photos of Tun Taib.
Photos: Margaret Ringgit & Ghazali Bujang
