Kuching: The Malaysia Day 2026 celebrations at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Sarawak this Wednesday will feature a variety of programmes, including cultural performances, theatre, and a concert featuring artistes from Sarawak, Sabah, and the peninsula.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) director Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan stated that the opening performance, themed 'Sarawak Maju Makmur Segulai Sejalai', will be among the highlights, alongside silat, hadrah, gendang pampat, lion dance, and a theatre performance on the formation of Malaysia. He mentioned that popular Malaysian artistes Dayang Nurfaizah, Faizal Tahir, and Stacy will perform alongside more than 50 local Sarawak artistes, with the performances combining traditional and contemporary elements.
The programmes for the celebration night have been designed to highlight Malaysia's cultural diversity, as well as the strength and unity of its people. The symbolic launch of the celebrations will include the cutting of a yellow glutinous rice cake, the signing of the Malaysia Day Special Book, the raising of the Jalur Gemilang to the national anthem Negaraku, and the recitation of the Rukun Negara pledge. In Sarawak, cutting a yellow glutinous rice cake is a tradition to celebrate a success or achievement, he explained during an appearance on Bernama TV's Apa Khabar Malaysia programme.
The celebration will also be attended by Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Awang Putrayusrie added that in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebrations themed 'Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati', an exhibition is also being held at Plaza Merdeka, Kuching, from Sept 10 to 16, providing the public an opportunity to revisit the history of Malaysia's formation and learn about the struggles of its leaders at the time.
He also mentioned that the celebrations have been extended through mini exhibitions in several divisions across Sarawak, enabling communities outside Kuching to learn more about the history of Malaysia's formation. Sarawak has so far hosted the Malaysia Day celebrations seven times, including this year. "We will give our very best to ensure that Malaysia Day can be celebrated by everyone in Sarawak, Sabah, and the peninsula," he said.