MIRI: Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin calls upon all fellow Sarawakians to fly the state colours this July 22 as a show of their love and appreciation for ‘the homeland’.

In this respect, he highlights the importance for all Sarawakians to understand the significance of Sarawak Day and its history.

“Sarawak Day has been a gazetted public holiday since 2016, when the late ‘Tok Nan’ (the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) was our chief minister.

“This is a historic day for Sarawak because it was the day when we formed our own government, led by our then-chief minister Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan.

“Those from the government, agencies and the private sector are encouraged to fly the Sarawak flags on their office buildings to commemorate this special day,” he told reporters at a hotel here yesterday during a press conference on ‘Sarawak Day 2020’ virtual celebration, which would be broadcast live via various social media platforms from Miri this Wednesday (July 22). The theme this year would be ‘Sarawak Gemilang’ (Glorious Sarawak).

Lee, who is also the organising chairman for the celebration, also stressed the importance for the younger generation of Sarawakians to understand the history of ‘their homeland’.

“Sarawak was a self-governing sovereign nation from July 22 to Sept 16, 1963, before we came together with Malaya, Singapore and North Borneo to form Malaysia.

“Due to Covid-19, this year’s celebration will be very different as there will be no big gatherings as per the directive under the SOP (standard operating procedures) that we must comply with.

“Everything will be virtual. Therefore, everyone can watch the celebration from the comfort of their own homes via live television and online platform broadcasts,” he said.

Lee also expressed his appreciation to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for giving Miri the opportunity to host this year’s celebration

“The event will serve as a platform to disseminate messages on development and unity that have been enjoyed by Sarawakians all this while, as the state continues to move towards the high-income-state status by Year 2030,” he said.

Lee, who is Senadin assemblyman, also pointed out that despite being a virtual event, the Sarawak Day 2020 celebration would still be a memorable occasion, hosting various fun and exciting programme.

“Sarawak flags and celebratory billboards have been put up at the main localities around Miri ahead of this celebration. Various programmes will also be broadcast live by TV3, tvSarawak, Sarawak Event Channel, Astro Awani, as well as Facebook Live starting at 9pm,” he said.

The programmes would include the opening overture, a special documentary titled ‘Marek, Kinek Tok dan Kelak’ (Past, Present and Future), a sitcom titled ‘Kampong Selepar Putus’, a short-video titled ‘Kebanggaan Kamek’ (My Pride) and a ‘Tok Bok Sarawak’ song presentation.

The finale would be a medley of ‘Sarawakku Sayang’ (Our Beloved Sarawak) and ‘Pertiwiku Tercinta’ (Our Beloved Motherland).

Acting Miri Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf, Miri City Council (MCC) secretary Morshidi Fredrick, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak chief executive officer Dr Rashidah Bolhassan, and Sarawak State Events Protocol and Management Unit director Azlan Ali Badri were also present at the press conference yesterday.

Source: The Borneo Post Online