KUCHING: A special 15 minutes choral performance by 50 students will be featured during Sarawak Day celebration at the Kuching Waterfront this Saturday (22 July).
The choral performance will start soon after the arrival of the guest of honour, Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud. It will relate to the history of the handing over of state’s administration to its people by the British Government in 1963.
This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian in a press conference at The Old Courthouse, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg here, yesterday.
Dr Sim added that the performers would comprise students from SK RPR Astana and coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports.
Besides that, a video depicting the history and present day Sarawak will also be projected on a giant LED screen as a background to the performance.
“Another highlight of the commemoration ceremony will be a three-day exhibition depicting the history of Sarawak’s administration starting from Brooke’s rule (1841-1941) until after 1963.
“The exhibition will be held at the Steamship Building at Kuching Waterfront from 22-24 July by National Archive Department in collaboration with Information and Museum Departments, Pustaka Negeri, RTM and FINAS,” said Dr Sim who is also minister in charge of the celebration.
More than 100 pictures, artifacts and videos touching on the Japanese occupation (1941-1945), Australian military rule (1945-1946) and the British rule (1946-1963) will be available for the public to see, especially students and the younger generation.
Also to be showcased are the history on the struggles to achieving Sarawak’s independence, Cobbold Commission, handing over of administrative power to the people of Sarawak, the past and present Governors, Chief Ministers and on the formation of Malaysia.
The exhibition will incorporate old photos, documents, newspapers and other interesting items.
“On 22 July, it will be opened from 12pm until 9pm, 9am until 5pm on 23 July and from 9am until 2pm on 24 July. The exhibition is held in conjunction with the Sarawak Day celebration on 22 July at the same venue which will be graced by Head of State at 9am and no entrance fee will be charged to the visitors.
“Also expected to attend the event are Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Chief Ministers, Ministers and their spouses and other distinguished guests,” Dr Sim said.
A min concert will also be held on the night of 22 July, featuring ‘Just Nice Band’ and local singers who will belt out both oldies and contemporary songs to entertain the crowd.
They will also dance and sing in the various languages to depict the multi-racial people of Sarawak.
Last year, former Chief Minister the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem declared 22 July a public holiday in Sarawak to mark Sarawak Day.
