The final rehearsal before the state-level Malaysia Day celebration in Kota Kinabalu.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will mark the 60th Malaysia Day celebration at the historic Town Padang here with a variety of exciting events.
Despite the national-level celebration being held in Kuching, Sarawak on Sept 16, thousands are still expected to attend the grand occasion here which will start with a pre-show event at 7pm.
Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his consort Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni are slated to grace the celebration.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who will be attending the national-level celebration in Kuching with state Cabinet members, will be represented here by Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
The celebration, which is expected to begin at 8.10am after the arrival of Tun Juhar, will start with the hoisting of the Jalur Gemilang and Sabah flags by the Royal Malaysian Navy, followed by the singing of the national and state anthems.
This will be followed by a welcoming speech from Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, who is also chairman of the state-level Malaysia Day organising committee.
The Chief Minister’s speech will be delivered next before the symbolic launching of the celebrations with the cutting of a Hari Malaysia 2023 cake.
There will also be a handing over of Jalur Gemilang by the Kembara Merdeka 2023 convoy, which has been touring the state since last month in conjunction with the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.
Attendees will also be treated to a special performance called “Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan” (Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope) - the official theme of the national month this year.
The event promises to be a colourful spectacle which will include, among others, cultural shows and a concert featuring local artistes such as Francis Landong, Esther Appolonius, Dabra Sia and Elya Guntabid.
