KUCHING – Malaysia Day 2026 was marked with a national-level celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Wednesday night, bringing together federal and state leaders, cultural performers and thousands of attendees for an event centred on national unity and Malaysia’s diverse communities. Around 6,000 people attended the celebration, according to JAPEN.
The event was attended by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other federal and state leaders were also present.
Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau, director of the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), also attended the celebration with members of her team. UNIFOR had been involved in activities held ahead of the main event, including an interfaith thanksgiving ceremony on September 14.
This year’s celebration carried the national theme “Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati”, while the programme in Sarawak also highlighted the phrase “Segulai Sejalai”, reflecting the event’s emphasis on togetherness across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. The programme featured cultural and musical performances representing the three regions.
The official programme began at about 8.25pm with the national anthem, Negaraku, followed by Sarawak’s state anthem, Ibu Pertiwiku. Performances included traditional and contemporary presentations, with artists and groups from Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia taking part.
Among the ceremonial elements was the signing of the Malaysia Day Celebration Special Book, while members of the Royal Malaysian Navy took part in the raising of the Jalur Gemilang. The programme also included a symbolic cutting of pulut kuning and performances by invited artistes.
The celebration was held indoors at BCCK amid haze affecting parts of Sarawak and the wider region. Authorities had earlier confirmed that outdoor components would not proceed because of the haze situation in Kuching and Serian, while the main celebration would continue at the convention centre.
Sarawak’s hosting of the national Malaysia Day celebration also formed part of a rotational arrangement involving Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia. The state last hosted the national event in 2023, with the 2025 celebration held in Penang.
The gathering provided a national platform for Sarawak’s multicultural character, with the programme placing emphasis on cooperation and shared identity among communities and regions. The focus on religious and cultural diversity was also reflected in activities surrounding the main celebration, including the interfaith thanksgiving programme organised by UNIFOR.
During his address, Anwar also spoke about the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), describing it as a national pledge that should be respected and implemented. His remarks placed the agreement within the broader context of the relationship between the federal government, Sarawak and Sabah.
The Malaysia Day programme concluded with a fireworks display at the Kuching Waterfront at about 11pm. The event was the 63rd Malaysia Day celebration and brought together representatives and performers from across the country in Kuching.
The celebration also highlighted a recurring theme of mutual respect and cooperation among Malaysia’s different communities. In Sarawak, where people of different religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds live alongside one another, such themes formed part of the wider message surrounding the national celebration.
