Samarahan set to host King’s birthday celebration

KUCHING: The Samarahan Division has been selected as the host for the celebration of the official birthday of His Majesty the 17th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, which will feature various events to honour the occasion.

According to the Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi, the celebration aims to highlight the significance of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong institution in Malaysia’s parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy system, emphasizing its role as a symbol of sovereignty.

Set to take place in multiple areas based on the activities featured at Kota Samarahan, the celebration will be held from Sept 5 to 7.

“Among the activities planned throughout the celebration period from Sept 5 to 8 is an exhibition titled ‘Our King’ at Summer Mall, Kuching, starting from 10 am to 10 pm daily,” he said.

The event is expected to attract around 10,000 people throughout the exhibition period, which will feature a biography of His Majesty, detailing his life from childhood to his coronation.

“This exhibition will showcase royal regalia, organized in collaboration with the Malaysian Information Department (JaPen) Sarawak, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), and the Samarahan District Office.

“It is a significant event as it offers a rare opportunity for Sarawakians to view items that may have never been seen before,” he said.

He said this during the press conference at the Main Meeting Room, Level 2 Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Kuching, on Thursday (Aug 22).

“The second event is the Interfaith Thanksgiving Ceremony organized by the Unit For Other Religions (UNIFOR), which will take place at 8:00 pm in Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan on Sept 5,” he said.

He said that the event will be graced with the presence of the Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and is expected to draw an attendance of around 500 people.

“The ceremony will bring together representatives from six different religions, each offering prayers of thanksgiving according to their respective faiths, fostering unity and mutual respect among the diverse religious communities in the region,” he said.

Held on Sept 6, he said that all mosques in Sarawak will have a uniformed Khutbah Khas during the Friday prayers which focus on the celebration of the official birthday of His Majesty.

“On the same day around six in the evening, a ceremony called ‘Majlis Kesyukuran’ will be held at Al-Muttaqin Mosque, Kota Samarahan after the Khutbah,” he said.

He said that the ceremony, which is a collaborative effort between the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department, the Resident’s Office, and the Samarahan District Office, will feature the recitation of Yassin and Zikir Marhaban by the Samarahan Zikir Group before ending with Doa Kesyukuran and congregational Isha prayers with attendees from the Samarahan area.

In addition, he said that there will be a Tea Reception held at DeTar UNIMAS, Kota Samarahan, starting at 10:30 am, which will expect around 500 attendees.

“This ceremony is organized by the Protocol, Ceremonies, and Event Management Unit of Sarawak (UPPANS), in collaboration with the Resident and District Office of Samarahan. The Tea Reception will gather VIPs, department heads, agency leaders, and community leaders,” he said.

He said that the notable guests will be the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi Taib, along with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.

“The aim of this celebration, held annually in different locations, is to raise awareness among all levels of society in Sarawak, especially in the Samarahan Division,” he said.

He said that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong symbolizes the strength of Malaysia’s diversity and ensures fairness and well-being for all Malaysians, helping to achieve shared prosperity.

“This year’s celebration aims to raise awareness, particularly among the younger generation, about the significance of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Malaysia,” he said.

For the record, he said to ensure the smooth execution of the upcoming events, the Minister in charge, who serves as the chair of the main committee, will be assisted by four Deputy Ministers: Deputy Minister of Transport Sarawak (Aviation and Roads) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Deputy Minister of Food Industries, Commodities, and Regional Development Sarawak (Food Industries) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak (Infrastructure Development) Datuk Ir. Aidel Lariwoo, and finally Deputy Minister of Food Industries, Commodities, and Regional Development Sarawak (Commodities and Regional Development) Datuk Martin Ben.

“The Sarawak Protocol, Ceremonies, and Event Management Unit (UPPANS) will also be the main implementing agency for this year’s celebration, supported by state and federal departments and agencies.

“UPPANS director Hamdan Ismail, Samarahan resident Irwan Bujang, The Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) director, RTM director, and JaPen Sarawak director, along with all relevant agencies, to ensure that the celebration from September 5 to 8 proceeds smoothly,” he said.