KUCHING: A grand parade will take place at Padang Merdeka here for Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar's official birthday celebration on Saturday (Oct 11).
Featuring a march-past by 110 contingents and cultural performances, the parade will be the highlight of the celebration, which begins on Thursday (Oct 9) with thanksgiving prayers at Masjid Jamek here.
State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said preparations were proceeding well for the parade.
"We had the third and final rehearsal today, and... everything went smoothly.
"The contingents, uniformed bodies and organising committee have done a good job in their preparations," he told reporters after the rehearsal on Thursday (Oct 9).
Karim said the celebration was a significant occasion to honour the Yang di-Pertua Negeri as Sarawak's top leader.
He said a series of events had been lined up this year, including thanksgiving ceremonies, a state banquet, a high tea reception and an investiture ceremony for the conferment of state honours.
A Konsert Rakyat will also be held at Padang Merdeka on Saturday evening, featuring local performers.
"Among all the major events in Sarawak, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's birthday celebration is the most significant in terms of preparations and the people's involvement," Karim added.
Some 10,000 people are expected to take part in the parade, with contingents coming from uniformed bodies, government agencies, educational institutions and non-governmental organisations across Sarawak.
The Head of State will inspect a guard of honour at the start of the event, after which there will be a cake-cutting ceremony, a children's choir performance, and a video of birthday wishes.
The contingents will then march past the main stage, accompanied by the police band, followed by a cultural dance performance.
