KUCHING: Sarawak will host the National-Level Malaysia Day Celebration 2026, expected to bring together about 5,000 guests at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on 16 September.

Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, who is also the Minister Responsible for the celebration, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said hosting the event in Sarawak would help strengthen the spirit of unity within Malaysia's diverse society.

"Sarawak is once again hosting this, as it is seen as capable of strengthening the spirit of unity and diversity across Malaysia — Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak," he said.

He was speaking at a press conference on the National-Level Malaysia Day Celebration 2026 here on Saturday.

Dato Sri Abdul Karim added that among the highlights of the celebration would be a recorded address by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, an address by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, and an address by Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The event will also include the signing of the Malaysia Day Special Book, a symbolic launch, and the arrival procession of the Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang Convoy, which will hand over the Jalur Gemilang to the Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, before the flag-raising.

He also said an exhibition in conjunction with the National-Level Malaysia Day Celebration 2026 would be held from 10 to 16 September at Plaza Merdeka, Kuching.

A Mini Malaysia Day Celebration 2026 exhibition will also be held in 10 divisions across Sarawak — Sri Aman, Sibu, Miri, Limbang, Sarikei, Kapit, Bintulu, Mukah, Betong and Serian — in addition to proposed events in Sabah and Putrajaya.

In addition, two state-level thanksgiving ceremonies will be held in Sarawak: the Other Religions Thanksgiving Ceremony, organised by the Unit for Other Religions Affairs (UNIFOR), at Hotel Pullman on 14 September, and a Thanksgiving Ceremony at Masjid Jamek on 15 September.

"At the Other Religions Thanksgiving Ceremony, each religion will be given the opportunity to offer prayers for Malaysia's wellbeing, and it is expected to be attended by the Sarawak Premier if he has no other commitments; otherwise, this will be entrusted to Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas as guest.

"Apart from that, a thanksgiving ceremony for Muslims will be held the following day, on 15 September, at Masjid Jamek Kuching, which will be attended by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak," he explained.

Also present online was Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, while those present in person included Deputy Minister at the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Ibrahim Baki, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communications Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee, as well as heads of departments and agencies. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photo: Ibanez Jeffery
Translator: Uilson Ng