Konsert Rakyat Livens up the Mood in Conjunction with Sarawak’s 60th Independence Day

BY: Michelle Liew

The good weather in the city has attracted more than 30,000 visitors to Padang Merdeka to enjoy the People's Concert (‘Konsert Rakyat’) in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of Sarawak Independence recently.

Featuring a line-up of local artists and a popular band from the neighbouring country Indonesia, Ungu, the four-hour long concert starting at 8pm played music from the 90s to the present day.

Audiences made up of young and old, regardless of background were also treated to two mesmerizing fireworks displays throughout the concert.

The performance on the Padang Merdeka stage started with Sarawak artists Carrie Geres and Ramles Walter, followed by the Floor 88 band, Dolla, Joe Flizzow and Datuk Awie, each singing three to four songs with full of energy.

The band Ungu presented the audience with 12 of their hits including 'Demi Waktu', 'Tercipta Untukku', 'Kekasih Gelapku', 'I Need You' and 'Andai Ku Tahu'.

Seeing the excitement at the People's Concert, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communication Unit) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said Sarawak has the potential to organize more such concerts and bring in foreign artists in the future.

"We witnessed the biggest stage and audience, so if the reception is like this, maybe we can do it again. We will meet again in the near future with a concert that may be even greater," he stated.