Thursday 20 August 2015

City to experience massive ‘vroom’ delight

August 20, 2015

Jamilah and Karim with members of the the event organisers.


KUCHING: ‘Kuching International Bike Week 2015 (KIBW)’, to be held from Sept 3 to 6 at CityOne Megamall, will be good for the people, business community and tourists.

Assistant Minister of Social Development Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said this inaugural spectacle, which may showcase some 4,000 local and foreign bikers, would add excitement to the run-up to Malaysia Day celebrations.

“KIBW can help promote Kuching as a tourist destination. I have been informed that about 1,000 bikers have thus far confirmed their participation. Besides locals, the others are from Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia,” he told a press conference at Imperial Hotel yesterday.

KIBW patron Datu Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, organising chairperson Datin Elly Zalilah from Iron Tiger Bikers Club and Borneo Truevents Sdn Bhd’s managing director Silas Michael Martin were also present. Borneo Truevents is helping to put the event together.

Abdul Karim said internationally known American professional stunt rider, Aaron Twite, would be around to wow the public.

Jamilah said the event was a healthy one, especially for youths, and admitted it would be fun to see so many bikers in the city.

“The state government is very supportive of this event and will continue to support this event in future,” she said.


Elly, too, believed the event would put Kuching on the international tourism map.

Meanwhile, Silas said the event organisers expected some 20,000 people to visit KIBW

Besides a display of exotic and classy motorcycles, there would be stage performances and thrilling convoy rides during the four-day extravaganza.

Silas said KIBW was open to the public, but a few programmes are reserved exclusively for those bikers who register as ‘very important bikers (VIB)’ for a fee of RM230 per person.

So far, more than 900 bikers had registered as VIBs, he added.

On Sept 4, some 150 VIBs, mostly from outside Sarawak, are scheduled to take part in a convoy to visit a Bidayuh longhouse in Kampung Benuk, Padawan.

“In the evening on the same day, bikers and event goers will converge at the rooftop of CityONE Megamall for the opening concert, which will showcase local talents from diverse ethnic backgrounds. `Papa Rock’ Datuk Ramli Sarip, and fellow rock icon, Man Kidal, are scheduled to perform.”

Silas added that KIBW would be officially inaugurated during the city ride, and Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg had been invited to flag-off the ride.

“Some 700 motorcycles are expected to parade through the city and continue on to Damai Sentral in Santubong. They will be treated to cultural performances, lunch and a durian party.

“Event goers will have the chance to see Twite, who hails from Atlanta, Georgia, up close, buy some of his memorabilia, and grab autographs and photos with him,” he said, adding that other activities that had been pencilled included ‘Kickstart Kuching Kustom Kulture’, ‘Battle of the Bands’, ‘Street Dance Battle’, ‘Mr Fitness’, ‘Miss KIBW’ and ‘KIBW Kool Kid Contest’.

The bike week gala dinner will be held on Sept 5, and it will be a night of awards, recognitions and celebration of unity, he said.

The VIBs will stand a chance to win the grand prize of a brand new Kawasaki Z800 motorcycle worth over RM50,000.

Event goers can stand a chance to win a scooter if they register for any official merchandise packages priced between RM60 and RM120.

More information, visit www. kibw.com.my or Iron Tiger Bikers Club’s Facebook page.
  

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