KUCHING – Kuching hosted the national-level Malaysia Day celebration on Wednesday, marking the 63rd anniversary of the formation of Malaysia with the attendance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.
The celebration was held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), bringing together federal and Sarawak leaders, ministers, government representatives and invited guests for the national observance on 16 September.
The event placed Sarawak at the centre of this year’s Malaysia Day programme, highlighting the state’s role in the formation of the Malaysian federation in 1963.
The celebration carried the theme “Malaysia Madani, Sarawak Maju Makmur”, or “Civil Malaysia, Progressive and Prosperous Sarawak”, alongside the spirit of Segulai Sejalai, which conveys the idea of moving forward together in unity.
The programme featured a range of activities, including cultural performances and special segments showcasing elements of Malaysia’s diverse heritage and identity.
These performances formed part of the evening’s programme at BCCK and provided a platform to highlight cultural traditions from different parts of the country as the national celebration took place in Sarawak.
The presence of the Prime Minister and Sarawak Premier also brought federal and state leadership together for the annual commemoration. Their participation came amid continued discussions and cooperation between the Federal Government and Sarawak on matters involving development and federal-state relations.
Kuching’s selection as the host city provided an opportunity to mark Malaysia Day in one of the country’s founding regions. Sarawak joined the federation alongside Sabah and Malaya on 16 September 1963, establishing the present-day Federation of Malaysia.
The anniversary is observed nationally each year, with celebrations providing an opportunity to commemorate the country’s formation and recognise the contributions of its constituent regions.
This year’s event also brought together representatives from different levels of government and members of the public in a programme centred on the Malaysia Day commemoration.
The cultural elements of the celebration reflected the country’s multi-ethnic and multi-cultural character, while the programme’s theme focused on unity, cooperation and shared national identity.
The 2026 national celebration in Kuching followed a series of official engagements involving federal and Sarawak leaders earlier in the day.
Among them was the formal handover of Bintulu Port from the Federal Government to the Sarawak Government, witnessed by Anwar and Abang Johari at Kuching International Airport.
The port’s transition from federal to state status took effect on 1 September 2026, with its assets, rights, interests and obligations transferred to the Sarawak Government.
The Malaysia Day programme at BCCK subsequently brought the day’s national celebrations to a wider public setting, with senior leaders and invited guests attending the main event.
The Kuching celebration concluded a programme designed to commemorate the formation of Malaysia while placing emphasis on cooperation and the country’s diverse cultural heritage.
