KUCHING: The city here, Sibu, and Miri are set to witness breathtaking street parades commemorating Sarawak’s 60 years of Independence.
The event, themed “Sarawak Maju Makmur” (Progressive, Prosperous Sarawak), will feature 2,400 participants from 60 contingents, representing various government agencies, academic institutions, schools, private organisations, ethnic groups, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew Yang said that the Progressive, Prosperous Sarawak themed parade will kick off here on August 5, showcasing community inclusion in the parade, and will also be held in Sibu on August 12 and Miri on August 19.
“All the participants in the three divisions represent different government agencies, academic institutions, schools, private organisations, the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), local ethnic groups and NGOs,” he said.
He said this when speaking at a press conference on the street parade to be held in conjunction with the 60 years of Sarawak Independence Celebration at Baitulmakmur Building 1 here, yesterday.
Commenting further, Ting said that each street parade has a special highlight, such as the parade event here, which showcases community inclusion, the street parade in Sibu showcases the lantern parade and the street parade in Miri features 16 contingents of decorated cars.
“The guest of honour for this event is Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg while the symbolic departure of the parade for the three sections will be officiated by the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“This event will also include an opening performance, a live concert with popular artists, food truck sales and fireworks,” he said, adding that the parade here will involve 2.5 kilometres (km) followed by 2 km in Sibu and 3.08 km in Miri.
At the same time, Ting said the parade here this Saturday will start at Travillion Commercial Centre, Jalan Padungan at 6 pm and end at the Kuching Post Office.
Visitors will also be entertained with performances by local artists such as At Adau, Carrie Geres, Rickie Anderson, Firdaus Materang and Raquel in addition to a photography competition and much more, he explained.
“For the parade in Sibu, it will start at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 2 at 7 pm and end at Corridor Chuang involving a distance of 2 km.
“Among the guest artists who will entertain the people of Sibu later are Hyper Act, Airliftz, Rickie Andrewson, Chien Ng, Ramles Walter and Kumpulan Acapella,” he said.
At the same time, for the parade in Miri, it will start at Miri City Hall at 7 pm until Miri Times Square involving a distance of around 3.08 km.
He added that visitors will be entertained by famous artists in the country such as Dayang Nurfaizah and Bob Yusof as well as local artists such as Gah Rentak and Lovey Dovey Band.
