70pc youth turnout targeted for S’wak Day townhall session with Premier at Sibu’s UTS

Abdullah (left) during his site visit to inspect preparations for the town hall programme at UTS in Sibu on May 25, 2026. Photo: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 25: A turnout of 70 per cent youth participation is being targeted for a town hall session with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in conjunction with the Sarawak Day celebration scheduled to take place on July 22 at the Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud Chancellor Hall of the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu.

In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information, and Ukas), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, said the dialogue programme enables the youth to engage directly with the Premier.

“I hope the youth in Sibu will seize this opportunity to attend the town hall and personally ask the Premier about their hopes, aspirations, future, and inspirations. I am confident that the Premier has answers to all those questions,” he said during a site visit to inspect preparations for the programme at UTS today.

Abdullah, who will also serve as moderator for the session, said he is prepared to raise several key issues of importance to the youth.

The Semop assemblyman also described this year’s Sarawak Day celebration as particularly meaningful, as it marks the ninth year since Abang Johari has helmed the position of State leader.

He said Sibu is a significant place to host the event, as the Central Region has become a focal point for major physical development projects.

“I believe many major developments, particularly infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges, are taking place in the Central Region. This is an opportunity for the people of the Central Region to see what lies ahead for Sarawak’s future development,” he said.

Abdullah added that Sibu is also an appropriate venue because of the Central Region’s proximity to areas associated with early Sarawak leaders and figures who fought for the formation of Sarawak and its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

This year’s Sarawak Day celebration, to be held from July 20-22, will feature various community-based activities such as a sales carnival, Zumba session, and thanksgiving ceremonies.

The highlight of the celebration on July 22 will be the Unity Walk programme, followed by the town hall session with the Premier in the afternoon.

The three-day celebration will conclude with the Sarawak Day Assembly and a Konsert Rakyat. — DayakDaily