Kuching gears up for TYT’s 78th birthday celebration this Oct 10-13

KUCHING (Sept 20): The 78th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar will take place from October 10 to 13 here with seven main events, said Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The minister in charge of the celebration told a press conference today that the celebration would start with a thanksgiving event on October 10 at Masjid Jamek Kuching followed by a special sermon on October 11 evening involving all mosques throughout Sarawak.

Also on the evening of October 11, there would be an interfaith thanksgiving ceremony organised by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) at the Riverside Majestic Hotel.

“The highlight event is the ceremonial parade and assembly on October 12 at Padang Merdeka, Kuching starting at 8am. This is followed by the investiture ceremony for the awarding of titles and honours at Astana Negeri at 11.30am.

“In the evening, there will be a State Banquet at the Sarawak DUN Building. On the next day, there will be a tea reception at the Riverside Majestic Hotel,” he said.

Abdul Karim added that the Sarawak Art Council (MSS) would be the lead agency for the event for the performances to be presented at the events.

The opening performance would involve 50 participants while the song “Dirgahayu” would be sung by singers Faizal Tahir and Dayang Nurfaizah.

Meanwhile, the cultural performance would feature a creative ethnic fusion dance to be performed by 100 performers.

Dayang Nurfaizah and fellow Sarawakian artist Bob Yusof would also perform a medley of songs.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang would be among the guests of honour who were invited.

This would be the first official birthday celebration of Wan Junaidi as the Head of State since his appointment on Jan 26 this year.