Bintulu ready for Sarawak Day 2024 celebration

BINTULU (July 21): The full rehearsal for the Sarawak Day 2024 celebration themed ‘Sarawak Maju Makmur dalam Malaysia’, which was held at the historic Old Bintulu Airport last night, proceeded smoothly with final touches being made to ensure a vibrant and splendid event on July 22.

The event commenced with captivating opening performances by the Tuku Kamek Group and the Kelab Asal Main Dayak (Kemada), accompanied by dynamic dance presentations from the Sarawak Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN).

Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom who is the organising chairman for the event, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming Sarawak Day 2024 celebration, emphasising the significance of the event for the people of Bintulu and Sarawak as a whole.

Dr Rundi said Sarawak Day is special, especially for the people of Bintulu, as the people have witnessed significant socio-economic developments, particularly in the oil and gas sectors.

He also highlighted the readiness of the people of Bintulu and Sarawak to celebrate Sarawak Day, noting the various events planned for July 21 and 22.

“We are prepared. Yesterday, we have kicked started the celebration with the interfaith thanksgiving prayer ceremony by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) and this will be followed by the Islamic thanksgiving ceremony at the Assyakirin Mosque on July 21 to be attended by the Sarawak’s Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi,” he said.

Events on July 22 will also include a fun ride in the morning at Dewan Suarah Bintulu and the launch of a methanol plant by the Premier, followed by a town hall session at Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu campus to be officiated by the Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He said the grand finale on July 22 will feature the presence of Wan Junaidi and Fauziah, and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg along with his wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.

The evening programme will showcase special performances, including a musical theatre by Pantomin Muzikal Sarawak Maju Makmur, featuring actors such as Azam Pitt and Anding Indrawani.

Dr Rundi said there will be a brief history of Sarawak’s progress to be shared in the performance.

The evening event will also highlight the talents of Sarawakian youth, including Sulaiman Usop, Daus Eli, Chien Ng, Melissa Francis, and Roxy Ixzy, as well as popular artists like Dayang Norfaizah and Bob Yusof.

A spectacular fireworks display will mark the finale of this historic celebration, promising an unforgettable night for all attendees.

Present to witness the full rehearsal and final preparations was State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneurial Development Sarawak, Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat; Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Sarawak Datuk Martin Ben; Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee; Bintulu Division Resident Nyurak Keti; and heads of state and federal government departments.