PETRA JAYA (Dec 17): The Sarawak New Year’s Eve celebration, Countdown 2025: Let’s Celebrate Together, will spotlight local artistes during its highly anticipated concert on the night of Dec 31 at the Kuching Waterfront, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts stated that the event, apart from boosting the hospitality and tourism sectors, aims to highlight Sarawak’s homegrown talents.
“Through this concert, we are providing an opportunity for our artistes to perform in front of a live audience.
“This initiative will inspire and instil confidence in our performers, encouraging them to excel at future events,” he said during a press conference at Bangunan Baitulmakmur II, here today.
Organised by his ministry and supported by the Sarawak Arts Council (MSS), the event will feature performances by Zee Avi, Roxy Ixzy, I-Cats Performing Arts, Harris Mukhriz, Isz Arfan, Harry Parren Ngau, Darren Jadriel Valentine, Norafizah Buseman, Ng Chien Chien, Aleysha, Ryan Zachary Shareef Van Der Horst, Siti Hasmah, and more.
Countdown 2025 will comprise four segments offering a range of engaging activities: the Day Segment (8.00am to 6.30pm), Pre-Show Segment (8.00pm to 9.45pm), Official Countdown Segment (10.00pm to 12.10am), and the Post-Show Segment (12.10am to 12.55am).
Abdul Karim added that the event is anticipated to attract an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 10,000 people, comprising both tourists and locals.
In light of the anticipated turnout, he advised visitors, especially those travelling from areas further away, to carpool to ease traffic congestion. He also noted that parking spaces will be limited.
“Attendees are encouraged to park in areas outside the Kuching Waterfront and walk to the venue. Those residing in Petra Jaya are advised to park across the Sarawak River and use the Darul Hana Bridge to reach the event location,” he added.
The minister also urged attendees to maintain the cleanliness of Kuching City throughout the celebration and not to rely solely on local councils for cleaning efforts.
He also expects that the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) will monitor food stalls operating at the event to ensure that only licensed vendors are allowed to conduct business.
Also present during the press conference were the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini, deputy permanent secretary Desmond Douglas Jerukan, MSS chief executive officer Dayang Mariana Abang Bolhassan, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor and other distinguished guests.
