KUCHING: Sarawak will go ahead with its new year’s eve countdown event at the Stadium Perpaduan here, with 1,000 invited guests.
The state’s tourism, arts and culture minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the authorities will ensure the event will be held according to the SOPs, such as allowing up to 50% of the capacity per venue.
“The indoor stadium can accommodate 5,000 people but we will only allow the 1,000 people who have been invited, including the frontliners who had worked so hard in the fight against Covid-19 in the state,” he told the reporters today.
“Previously, we always organised it (countdown event) at the Kuching Waterfront where the public can join us.
“But, this year, we decided to do it in the indoor stadium so as to adhere to the SOPs strictly,” he said, adding he was aware of Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s announcement yesterday that mass gatherings for new year’s eve celebrations are not allowed nationwide.
Karim said the event is scheduled to start at 8pm, and will feature entertainment performances by local artistes and a fireworks display outside the stadium.