Some 5000 people from all walks of life converged at the stadium here last night to witness the launching of the state-level Fly the Jalur Gemilang ceremony held in conjunction with the Merdeka Month.
The event started as soon as Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and wife, Senator Dato Sri Empiang arrived at the stadium.
Then the local choir group sang the ‘Satu Suara’ and ‘Timang Pemansang Wawasan 2020’.
After that, Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang on behalf of the State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohd. Morshidi Abdul Ghani delivered his welcoming speech followed by a speech by Jabu, on behalf of the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Then, a special performance of 1Malaysia dance and song was held before the arrival of 300 Semarak Merdeka runners carrying the Jalur Gemilang.
The runners comprised members of the Komuniti Bestari, national training service trainees and students from Betong.
Their leader, Hot Kameri then presented the national flag to Jabu followed by the flag raising ceremony in accompaniment of the Negaraku and the Jalur Gemilang songs.
Soon after, Jabu presented the Jalur Gemilang to a representative of the federal government, Sharifah Mariam Syed Dawilah, who is also the Deputy Director of the Malaysian Information Department.
Others who then received the national flag from him were representatives of the divisional residents, corporate bodies and community leaders.
The next performance were by Adi of Mentor 4 fame and Swaylin, a popular Iban singer.
Then another 1 Malaysia, Jalur Gemilang and Malaysia Satu songs were performed by artistes from the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation and the Dayak Cultural Foundation.
The ten-minute display of the fireworks aptly capped the patriotic event for the evening.
