By DayakDaily Team KUCHING, July 11: The organiser of a planned public gathering to celebrate Sarawak’s Independence Day and honour the legacy of the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem (Tok Nan) are appealing for a response from the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) regarding their venue application. In a press statement today, Peter John Jaban, chairman of the 722 organising committee and founder of Saya Anak Sarawak, said a formal application to use the Song Kheng Hai Rugby Ground was submitted on April 7, but no response has been received to date. He said the event, scheduled for July 22, 2025, is meant to be a public tribute to Tok Nan, the former Chief Minister who officially declared July 22 a public holiday in recognition of Sarawak’s history and autonomy. “Due to the lack of response from the Mayor’s Office, the planned gathering may be cancelled as we do not have bigger space for a large number of participants,” he said. Peter John acknowledged that past gatherings at the same venue had proceeded without issue and that the organisers have always prioritised compliance with laws and coordination with authorities, including notifying the police who have no objection to the planned event. While he understood that agencies may face internal processes, he expressed concern that time is running short, with just 10 days left for preparations. “We therefore urge the MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng to immediately respond to our official request. “There is no valid reason for the Mayor’s Office to not allowing us to use Song Kheng Hai Rugby Ground for the public gathering,” Peter John added. He also said a request for a courtesy call with the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had been submitted to the Premier’s Office to brief him on the objective of the event, but no response has been received so far. — DayakDaily