KUCHING, March 24 — Sarawak’s Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah today said he expects a sharp rise in the number of tourist arrivals to come for events held in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Sarawak’s independence this year.

He said every event is designed to attract a large crowd, not only from the local communities but also from outside such as Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia.

"We have a long list of events lined up for the 60th anniversary celebration. The anniversary will be a grand affair,” he told reporters at the launch of the anniversary logo, theme song, website and calendar of events for the anniversary here.

Sarawak achieved independence from the British on July 22, 1963. It would later form the Federation of Malaysia along with Malaya, North Borneo (now Sabah), and Singapore on September 16, 1963.

Karim said the highlight of the anniversary will be a rally at Padang Merdeka and a street parade in Kuching on the morning of the date.

"The people should see the date of July 22 as the best platform in sowing patriotic spirit and unity among the multi-racial communities in Sarawak,” he said.

He said apart from experiencing the celebration and knowing its meaning, the anniversary is a vehicle to convey the government's initiatives through the organisation of various programmes and activities.

He noted that Sarawak Day is one of the main milestone events of the Sarawak government which is held on July 22 every year starting in 2016 until now.

"Recalling the history of the celebration of Sarawak Day, July 22 was declared a public holiday in Sarawak and this announcement was made by the former chief minister the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem at an official function on April 23, 2016,” Karim said.

He said the aim of organising the anniversary is to foster a sense of pride in being a Sarawakian who has an intact identity, and also to strengthen the unity of the public so that they live with mutual respect and tolerance despite differences in race, religion and culture.

He said the anniversary can directly educate the people to appreciate what Sarawak has achieved and achieved so that Sarawak becomes a harmonious and prosperous state.

On the theme of the anniversary, Sarawak Maju Makmur, he said it is in line with the rapid progress and prosperity that has been achieved over the past 60 years in Sarawak.