Abg Johari: ‘Ibu Pertiwi’ flag raising ceremony to be held on first Sunday of every month

KUCHING (July 28): A ceremony to raise the Sarawak flag, ‘Ibu Pertiwi’ at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi here will be held on the first Sunday of every month, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said this monthly activity will serve as one of the attractions for visitors to Kuching.

“I would like to thank Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) for coming up with this activity which will have some impact on our tourism sector.

“Visitors can witness this raising of ‘Ibu Pertiwi’ ceremony which will also in turn serve as an inspiration to the people of Sarawak to continue developing Sarawak as a developed and prosperous region,” he told a press conference after officiating the ceremony at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi here today.

He also said that apart from the symbolism from the raising of the Sarawak flag, the activity would also provide a special meaning to the younger generation.

“That is why we have some students from several schools here with us today so that they can foster a sense of love and devotion for Sarawak and the country.

“This will further contribute to the future of Sarawak especially in the new economic era,” he said.

Abang Johari said this monthly programme will be managed by DBKU with various activities to be held during the event.

“In Britain, you have the changing of guard ceremony and other countries also have their own ceremonies that they share with visitors and tourists.

“For us in Kuching, this is a solemn sort of ceremony which we want to share with our visitors.

“Furthermore, I’ve observed for the past few months that the Dataran Ibu Pertiwi has become a regular place for people to come and take photographs so we will maintain this area for them,” he said.

In addition to witnessing the raising of the ‘Ibu Pertiwi’, Abang Johari also inspected the guards of honour and was treated to a special poetry ‘Ibu Pertiwi, Kedaulatan Sarawak’ performance.

Among those present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, and Deputy Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, who is also minister in charge of DBKU.

DBKU in a news release said the ‘Ibu Pertiwi’ flag raising ceremony aims to ensure that the changing and raising of the Sarawak flag at the tallest flagpole in Southeast Asia is carried out in an orderly manner.

It said the flying of ‘Ibu Pertiwi’ at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi is a symbol of Sarawak’s pride and sovereignty. It also symbolises unity and tolerance between the multi-racial community in Sarawak regardless of race and religion.

The ‘Ibu Pertiwi’ flag, measuring 25 metres long and 12.4 metres wide, at the 99-meter-high flagpole is one of Kuching’s main landmarks.