The 81st birthday celebrations for Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Abdul Taib Mahmud got off to a rousing start at Dataran Perayaan, Petra Jaya this morning even though it was raining heavily since dawn.

The celebration programme started at 9am with a guard-of-honour and parade made up of 81 contingents to mark the Yang Dipertua Negeri’s age. The contingents consisted representatives from various government departments and agencies, uniformed and non-uniformed bodies, non-governmental organisations and students.

Also present were Taib’s wife Raghad Kurdi Taib, Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg and wife Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang and state cabinet ministers.

This is the first time the main event of the Yang Dipertua Negeri’s birthday celebration was held away from Padang Merdeka, which is undergoing upgrading work.

The celebrations this time will be hosted for three days, starting yesterday with thanksgiving prayers at Masjid Jamek, Petra Jaya, which was also attended by Taib and his wife, the chief minister and wife and Muslim state cabinet ministers.

Following the celebration at Dataran Perayaan, Taib and wife left for the state legislative assembly complex in Kuching for an investiture to award state honours and medals in conjunction with his birthday.

Taib and wife will be feted to a state banquet at the same venue tonight.

For the masses, a concert will be held at 7.30pm at Dataran Perayaan tonight featuring popular singers like Azharina, Bob and Ricky Andrewson.

Tomorrow, Taib will be joining a tea party at the Waterfront in Kuching, where he will present gifts to 200 needy people before simultaneously opening two exhibitions – Pameran Dirgahayu and Pameran Raja Kita at Belia Merdeka Plaza. 

The exhibitions are being held in conjunction with the Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri’s birthday and also the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday, also celebrated today.

- Bernama