KUCHING: The countdown to New Year 2023 here will proceed as planned but on a smaller scale.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had called for a stop to big-scale ceremonies and in response to that, the countdown event had been toned down.
“Initially, we wanted to organise a large-scale celebration at the Kuching Waterfront but following the advice, we have decided to tone it down. It will be held at Stadium Perpaduan instead.
“Besides that, we have also sought the advice of the state Cabinet on the matter,” he told reporters when met during the Anglican Christmas open house at St Thomas’s Cathedral parish hall today (Dec 26).
Abdul Karim also acknowledged that disasters such as floods were occurring in the country and said he sympathised with those affected by them.
“This year, we have succeeded in facing the war against COVID-19 and we also achieved the targeted number of visitors coming into the state.
“There are a lot of things we deservingly should celebrate. However, while we celebrate, we also remember those who faced disasters, calamities, and so forth but life must go on.
“No doubt, big floods are happening but they happen every year. Does it mean every year we cannot celebrate the countdown to the new year?
“I’m not trying to counter but I still feel that there is nothing wrong in celebrating but we tone it down,” he said.
Abdul Karim also said the celebration was to reflect on what had occurred in the one past year.
Meanwhile, all the planned programmes for the new year countdown remain unchanged.
There will be various stage performances from local artistes as well as fireworks displays.
In addition, the celebration will be broadcast live on TVS and those who are unable to join the celebration inside the Indoor Stadium can also view it from the big screen outside the stadium compound.
