KUCHING: Sarawakians and friends of Sarawak are urged to take advantage of the public holiday on July 22 to create their own meaningful Sarawak Day celebration.

Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said July 22 is a historical day for Sarawak, made more meaningful when the late chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem gazetted it as Sarawak Independence Day last year.

Dr  Sim, who is minister in-charge of the celebration, said Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia with such a celebration.

“This is special. We want this to be a people-centric celebration. It’s up to every ‘anak’ Sarawak and friends of Sarawak to get out and celebrate together no matter where they are,” he said, and hoped that the people would create their own ways of commemorating the occasion.

He said this after inspecting the progress of preparatory work for the official celebration and chairing a final meeting yesterday.

The celebration will take place at the old Courthouse in front of Kuching Waterfront, the site where the state’s administration was handed over to Sarawak by the British government in 1963.

It will kick off at 9am with the arrival of Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datin Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib. Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang  Johari Tun Openg, deputy  chief    ministers, ministers, their spouses and other guests.

The celebration will feature a 15-minute choral performance related to the history of the  handover of administration by 50 pupils from SK RPR Astana with coordination by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports.

A video depicting the history and present day Sarawak will be shown on a giant LED screen as a background to the performance.

There will be a three-day exhibition depicting the history of the Sarawak administration from the Brooke era (1841-1941) until after 1963.

The exhibition, to be held at the Steamship Building from July 22-24, is led by the National Archive Department in collaboration with Information Department, Museum Department, Pustaka Negeri, RTM and Finas.

More than 100 pictures, artifacts and videos on the Japanese era, Australian military rule, and British rule will be available for the public to see.

Also to be showcased are the struggle for independence, the Cobbold Commission, the handing-over of administrative power, past and present governors, chief ministers and the formation of Malaysia.
Students and the younger generation are especially welcomed.
The exhibition will open from noon to 9pm on July 22, 9am to 5pm on July 23, and 9am to 2pm on the last day. Entry is free.
Many of the events will be streamed via their official Facebook page at  ‘Sarawak Events Channel’.

Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Pengguang Manggil was also present during the site inspection and at the press conference.

At another function later, during a ‘Nang Rindok’ programme over RTM’s TV1 channel, Dr Sim urged Sarawakians to remember their roots on Sarawak Day (July 22) and utilise social media tools to be part of the important celebration any time and anywhere.

Sarawakians should not just sit, see, wait and waste public holiday (July 22).

“Even if you can’t be at the main celebration, especially those living outside the country, you can take advantage of the digital technology to connect and engage with us ‘live’ on social media or contribute in your own way to the celebration,” he said.

On this year’s celebration, Dr Sim said the focus has been shifted from a government-based celebration to a people’s celebration with emphasis on local and community participation that truly defines Sarawak’s diversity and vibrancy.

“That’s why this year’s celebration will feature a people’s concert, a new programme where artistes from Sarawak will participate,” he added.

In his message to Sarawakians, Dr Sim urged all ‘anak Sarawak’ not to just sleep the day away but do something to show their love for Sarawak.

“Create a meaningful Sarawak Day in your own way and let’s rise together as one and be part of this nation-building as we get ready to move forward,” he concluded.