NINE EVENTS SHOWCASING PEOPLE’S UNITY TO ENLIVEN SABAH GOVERNOR’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

KOTA KINABALU, March 18 (Bernama) -- The official 75th birthday celebration of the Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah Tun Musa Aman, on March 30, will be enlivened with nine events that reflect the spirit of unity and the people's love for the state.

Sabah Minister of Youth Development, Sports, and Creative Economy Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said that the main event has been meticulously planned since February by the Main Committee and Executive Committee to ensure the smooth running of the state's annual programme.

Nizam, who is also the chairman of the Main Committee, said the celebration will begin on March 27 with a thanksgiving and prayer as well as a solat hajat (special prayer) at the Sabah State Mosque here.

He said the highlight of the celebration on March 30 features three main events, namely a parade and guard of honour ceremony at Padang Merdeka, followed by the conferment ceremony of state honours, decorations and medals at Istana Seri Kinabalu, and a state banquet in the evening.

"Approximately 70 contingents of uniformed bodies will participate in the parade. We hope everyone from all corners of the state can jointly celebrate the Governor’s official birthday, especially at the event in Padang Merdeka,” he said this during a press conference here today on the Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah's birthday celebration.

Nizam said that in addition to the official events, various side programmes will also be organised, including the ‘Program Riadah Perpaduan bersama Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah’ at the Likas Sports Complex Recreation Park on April 11, an art exhibition, and ‘Pameran Dirgahayu Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah’ at the Sabah Islamic Civilisation Museum starting April 16.

He said that the unity sports programme aims to strengthen the relationship between leaders and the people, as well as to foster a spirit of togetherness among the multi-ethnic community.

"Therefore, we hope that all layers of society can join together in this unity gathering along with the Governor of Sabah and the state leaders as a manifestation and symbol of our togetherness, both the people and the leaders," he said.

He also said this year's celebration will feature the Sabah Ethnic Day Programme, which will bring together more than 100 ethnic associations to showcase their unique cultures and customs at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on April 25.

Nizam added that the celebration is not just an annual event, but rather an important platform in strengthening unity and expressing the people's loyalty to the institution of the Yang Dipertua Negeri.

Additionally, there will be a tea party for children in conjunction with the birthday celebrations in Tawau on April 30.

-- BERNAMA