Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/9/4/southneast/18762422&sec=southneast
Tuesday September 4, 2007
Sarawak celebrates its progress
By STEPHEN THEN
SARAWAK has been transformed from one of the poorest to one of the richest states in Malaysia over the past five decades, largely due to the excellent federal-state government relationship.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the state, the biggest in the country, has progressed by leaps and bounds and its 2.5 million people have every reason to be proud of Merdeka.
He told this to a crowd of some 30,000 people who gathered at Miri Stadium to celebrate and witness the Merdeka parade.
Sarawak is looking beyond 2020. We are working towards developing a knowledge-based workforce. We want to accelerate our growth in many key sectors as we move forward towards 2030, he said.
A total of 117 contingents ranging from school troupes to government agencies and community and business organisations took part in the colourful parade witnessed by Taib, the Head of State, other state ministers and dignitaries and the crowd.
On Merdeka eve, a concert was held at the City Fan recreational ground, followed by a fireworks display after the midnight countdown.
Sarawak will celebrate its 44 years of independence through Malaysia on September 16.
Similar town-scale Merdeka celebrations held all over the states 11 divisions, from Kuching in the south to Limbang in the north as Sarawakians joined their counterparts nationwide to mark the countrys independence.