Good ending to this year's Sarawak Regatta with thousands braving Intermittent rain and inclement of weather at Kuching Waterfront

Intermittent rain and inclement of weather did not deter the thousands of spectators and dignitaries from attending the final day of this year’s Sarawak Regatta held at Kuching Waterfront. 

This year’s regatta had also attracted the attention of Brunei’s Sultan, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, and also our governor, Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. The presence of the Sultan of Brunei accompanied by our Governor and Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had underscored the close ties between Sarawak and Brunei.

Their attendance and keen interest had collectively highlighted the importance of preserving the annual regatta as a truly unique tradition. Heartiest congratulations to Yayasan Sarawak’s Puteri Dang Balai team which was crowned the “King of the River” for the third consecutive year. Their victory in the Raja Sungai 30 Men Paddlers category bagged them a cash prize of RM30,000 along with the coveted Head of State Trophy.

Applauding the organising of annual Festival Gendang Sarawak (FGS)

Our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency the Governor of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri. Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah binti Mohd Sanusi for being with us to grace the opening ceremony of the recent 11th Sarawak Gendang Festival (FGS) 2024 which took place at Kuching Waterfront.

The annual event was jointly organized by Sarawak Government our Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) and the Federal’s Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture (MOTAC) through the State Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) Sarawak. It is also organized in conjunction with the Sarawak Regatta and Kuching Waterfront Festival.

In my speech, it was mentioned that the creative and artistic events, including the Sarawak Gendang Festival are much welcomed because it is unique as well as to boost tourism in Sarawak, which is expected to reach over four million tourist arrivals this year. 

The gendang or drums festival plays a critical role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage in Sarawak because it celebrates and popularises traditional arts such as drumming, ‘bermukun’, and ‘bertandak’, which form an integral part of our local rich heritage. 

It also inspires our local folks to cherish the arts and culture, especially the younger generation and tourists, as a valuable heritage that must be learned and safeguarded for future generations.

Thumbs up to organisers of "Taste of Borneo Carnival"

Well done and congratulations to the organizers of the recent “Taste of Borneo Carnival” held in Miri which had received overwhelming response from our folks and also those who came from other parts of Sarawak. The organizers had also succeeded in having participants from abroad including a dance group from Sabah and Jakarta, Indonesia who had met me at the closing of the event held last Saturday.

Thumbs up also to the organizers for having successfully organised the "Most Ethnic Crafts Displayed In An Event" program which had featured dozens of participants at the exhibition booths and had entered the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR). Over 10,000 visitors had attended the first night of the annual event held at the parking lot of the Boulevard commercial centre in Miri.

The cultural street parade was also held in conjunction with the event was participated 500 people, comprising members of 20 ethnic associations. The event had entered its third edition and it was the first time the Miri divisional level inter-secondary school cultural dance competition was being organised in conjunction with this year’s carnival. Through the event, our younger generation especially students can gain a deeper understanding and respect for Sarawak’s diverse cultural heritage, while at the same time gain valuable social interaction and teamwork spirit.

Sarawak's "Unity Bridge" officially launched and goes into Malaysia's Book of Records

We had a brief visit to Miri last Saturday's afternoon for the official launching of Miri’s Unity Bridge that was graced by our Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg.

The bridge had also entered the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for having engravings of over 70 unique greetings that represented various ethnic dialects found in Sarawak.

The bridge, built in connection with the ‘Taste of Borneo Festival’, is described as a powerful symbol of the state’s unity and cultural diversity. It is located at Taman Bulatan Park and will serve as a good testament to the spirit of unity in diversity in Sarawak which has 34 different types of ethnicities.

It took six months to design and construct the unity bridge with the engravings are the greeting ‘How are you?’, translated in over 70 ethnic dialects. The design itself was inspired by the traditional bamboo bridge, which can be found in most rural areas in Borneo. It serves to symbolise the connection among all the ethnic groups as we all live together ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (United in Moving Forward) spirit.

It was also a good representation of collaboration amongst members from the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Melanau, Orang Ulu, Bidayuh, Kedayan and other communities.

The inauguration of the completed upgrade of Darul Iman Mosque in Sadong Jaya sub district.

We had the privilege to accompany the right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg for the inauguration of the completed upgrade of Darul Iman Mosque in Sadong Jaya sub district. 

Alhamdullilah, we had also performed the Friday prayers together with the local community here. Among our state cabinet ministers who were also present were YB Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi who is Sarawak's Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications and also a Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Sebuyau; YB Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak and also State Assemblyman for Sadong Jaya; YB Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister of Utilities and Communications, and Islamic Affairs; YB Datuk Rubiah Haji Wang, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Member of Parliament for P197 Kota Samarahan as well as YB Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak State Secretary and other dignitaries including YB Dato' Fazzrudin Haji Abdul Rahman who is Chief Political Secretary to Sarawak’s Premier.

In his speech, our Premier had mentioned that the local folks of Samarahan can look forward to upgraded electricity supply from single-phase to three-phase in their homes soon. This is because our government had commited over RM150 million to enhance the electricity grid network in the region. 

Our premier had also shared on how the quality of life has progressed, with households now using more modern electrical appliances compared to the past when our folks were cautious about using just a cloth iron, so our homes only had single-phase electricity, as we only needed to power a refrigerator and an iron. 

He further emphasised that the upgrading of electricity supply is crucial as more households are now using high-powered appliances which require better electricity supply and no more experiencing power trips.