State Banquet commemorates TYT’s 78th birthday celebration

KUCHING: A State Banquet was held last night (Oct 12) to celebrate the 78th birthday of the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex.

Upon the arrival of Wan Junaidi and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, they were accompanied by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.

The evening featured musical performances, followed by the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake.

A highlight of the night was a special video presentation titled “Rimba ke Astana: Aspirations of a TYT,” chronicling Wan Junaidi’s life journey.

Distinguished guests at the banquet were also entertained with performances by local artists such as Dayang Nurfaizah and Bob Yusuf, as well as renowned artists from Indonesia, Herman Tino and Bunga Cinta Lestari.

The night concluded with a beautiful fireworks display.

Among those present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Minister-in-Charge of the celebration Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

This marks Tun Wan Junaidi’s first official birthday celebration since his appointment as Head of State on January 26.

The four-day celebration, running from October 10 to 13, features seven key events across Kuching. These include a thanksgiving prayer, a special sermon, an interfaith thanksgiving ceremony, the grand parade, the investiture ceremony for state honours, the state banquet, and a tea reception.

Wan Junaidi and Fauziah (seventh left), Fauziah (eight left), Abang Johari (sixth left) and other distinguished guests pose for a photo after the cake cutting ceremony. Photo: Japen Sarawak

Herman Tino entertains the guests with his song performances, singing ’Yale-Yale’, ‘Mengapa Dikenang, Mengapa Difikir’ and Aku Milikmu. Photo: Japen Sarawak

Bunga Cinta Lestari entertain the audience with her song performances, singing ‘Aku dan Dirimu’, ‘Kerna Ku Cinta Kau’, ‘Cinta Sejati’ and ‘Wanita Terbahagia’. Photo: Japen Sarawak