Celebrations scaled down, but spirit and flag still fly high By Georgette Tan and Lim How Pim
KUCHING: Anybody who is somebody in Sarawak was at the 52nd Independence Day celebrations that took place at the Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya yesterday. And that was all to it, for it was a very much scaled down celebration, taking place indoors for the first time, too.
There were neat blocks of colours spread all over the audience gallery – people who were dressed in their respective agency’s uniform or designated outfit for the day.
A giant white banner with the 1Malaysia logo hung above the exact centre of the stadium, a reminder of what this year’s theme is all about. From the spectators’ point of view, things ran like clockwork. Some of the participants out on the floor even looked like clockwork, especially when members of the armed forces started marching or spacing themselves out evenly across the stadium.
Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and members of his cabinet made up a small army in various shades of brown while Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin came in a dignified dark grey suit. As Salahuddin, looking sprightly, inspected the long line of guards-of-honour, his escort slowed his pace to remain a polite distance behind.
When the guards were dismissed and the dignitaries took their place on the podium, the uniformed agencies marched in and took their places on the floor.
The representatives from various races were really walking rather than marching. There was no holding back on the colour and splendour of cultural costumes on display - feathers on head dresses standing high, brightly coloured kain sampin, flowers adorning hair buns, and tinkling bells and coins sewn to hems.
Malaysian flag and the stadium stood at attention as it was raised up the flagpole to the national song, ‘Negaraku’. For a few seconds, it hung dead on top of the pole, as if Nature also stood still in respect. And then a breeze from the air conditioner unfurled it and soon it was waving gently, like a picture from a postcard. This was followed by more singing. This time the songs ‘Jalur Gemilang, Tanggal 31’ and ‘1Malaysia’ were sung and played. Taib was invited to deliver his speech. He started softly but soon worked himself up into a fervour that had his audience clapping and sharing his sentiments.
A representative from the group on the stadium floor led everyone to reciting the Oath and Rukun Negara. He also struck an impressive figure in his full traditional Malay costume as he led the stadium in declaring, “Merdeka!”
There was a poem recital and an accompanying dance that was ‘invaded’ by the army who looked quite out of place until they threw themselves into formation and recreated a live version of the National Monument right on the stadium floor. This earned an instant cheer and lingering applause by a lot of impressed people in the gallery. When met outside, some of the state leaders happily expressed their views on the spirit of Merdeka and the 1Malaysia concept.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development) Mohd Naroden Majais extended his Merdeka wishes to all Malaysians, particularly Sarawakians, saying he hoped that they continue to stay united. “They should enjoy the progress brought by the government, which is for all irregardless of race, religion and skin colour. It is for all because it’s 1Malaysia, 1Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan said what he understood by the 1Malaysia concept was the continued stability of politics in Sarawak and Malaysia, in general.
“No single community will be left out and that means it is for everyone and all. What we want to create is one entity and this definitely will drive Sarawak to be better in all fields,” he added.
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