An exciting "Pesta Babulang & Lumba Karabau" in Batu Danau, Limbang

This morning I have left for Limbang to attend the official opening ceremony of the annual “Pesta Babulang and Buffalo Racing Festival” which is entering its 21st edition this year. I had also represented our right honorable Premier of Sarawak at this colourful festival which is on from 5 to 7 June at the Babulang Festival Grounds of Batu Danau area. Well done and congratulations to the Sarawak Bisaya Association, who have successfully attracted thousands of visitors to this iconic cultural festival which had featured the much anticipated buffalo racing and also the uniquely decorated water buffalo parade by the Bisaya community. 

For the record, Pesta Babulang is the largest traditional harvest festival celebrated by the Bisaya community which is found Limbang, the northern part of Sarawak. It is basically the celebration of the bountiful harvest and welcoming a new farming cycle. The annual festival had always served as a cultural cornerstone by preserving Bisaya identity, unifying scattered communities, and boosting the local rural economy through heritage tourism. 

There were a lot of exciting activities and are packed with unique traditions and cultural of the Bisaya that kept their heritage alive for the society to participate in the merry making. 

Among the list of activities that are included in the weekend festival are:

• The Buffalo Race which is locally known as Lumba Karabau tha is basically the thrilling main event where riders race bareback on water buffaloes.
• Ratu Babulang which is a vibrant beauty pageant where young Bisaya women showcase traditional costumes and grace to win the crown.
• Nakod Babulang is a community feast-giving ritual that highlights ancestral customs, music, and dances.
• Luangan Display of traditional banners and decorations that are highly symbolic and used in rituals, weddings, and festivals. 

The festival is highly significant to the local Bisaya community because it revolves on their identity and pride. The event acts as a living museum, keeping language, art, and heritage alive for younger generations. The event also promotes community unity and cohesiveness because it brings the Bisaya together from across Sarawak, Sabah, and Brunei, while also fostering harmony among other ethnic groups in Limbang. Apart from being the economic catalyst, the festival will normally attracts thousands of tourists, driving local entrepreneurship, handicraft sales, and culinary tourism. Last but not least, it is for cultural preservation because tt safeguards ancestral knowledge and rituals from fading into obscurity in the modern era.

Questioning the delay in Federal Government's nod for proposed Sarawak state election seats increase

Recently I have again questioned the delay in obtaining the Federal government’s endorsement for Sarawak’s proposal to increase the number of state constituencies from 82 to 99. This is because the motion, which I have tabled in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) over a year ago, had received overwhelming support but has yet to be acted upon at the federal level.

I am quite sentimental about this issue because I was the one who tabled the motion. The motion received strong support in DUN and our hope is for it to be accepted and implemented. I have pointed out that Parliament had convened several times since the proposal was passed by the DUN. It was tabled more than a year ago. It only needs endorsement from the federal level.

Over the past year, Parliament has sat three times, but there has been no effort by the minister in charge of law to bring it up. The delay appeared to show a lack of respect for the DUN’s decision. I also rejected suggestions linking the proposal to parliamentary constituencies. Whether there is another agenda behind the delay, only they would know. Moreover, I am not talking about parliamentary seats.

We in the state can only arrange for an increase in state seats. The parliamentary seats will remain at 31 but the state seats should be increased to 99. I have pointed out that the proposal is justified as the constitutional requirement for a new delimitation exercise has already been met. Under the Federal Constitution, the delimitation of boundaries can only be done after eight years, and we have passed that period. We feel there is a need to increase the number of state seats which is why it was tabled in Sarawak.

However, I have expressed concern that time may be running short for the proposal to be implemented before the next state election. The next parliamentary sitting will be in July. Even if it is tabled and endorsed, there are still procedures and processes, including public display for the redelineation exercise. Looking at the time now, I have some doubt whether it can go through in time. I have warned that if approval is not secured before the upcoming state election, Sarawak may have to wait another full electoral cycle before the additional seats can be implemented. If it is only passed later, then we may only have it for the next state election after this one and that will be a long time.

My comments and views on speculation of timing for the impending Sarawak State Elections

There were talks and speculation on the timing of exactly when the next Sarawak state election will be held but the matter shall remains\ the prerogative of our right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. As the Information Chief of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Sarawak, I was asked to comment by our media friends on Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian’s remarks on the forthcoming election that may be called within the next 100 days. 

To me, the statement was Dr Sim’s personal assessment based on the current political landscape. The only person who can roughly indicate when the election will be held is the Premier of Sarawak. The prerogative and discretion are on him as to when he wants to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly. In general, all political parties in Sarawak are aware that the election must be held this year as the current State Legislative Assembly term expires by early 2027. 

We do not need to worry too much because we are already halfway through the year. Whether it is GPS or the opposition, by now they should already have everything in hand and be prepared for the election. While I personally did not think the state election would necessarily be held within the next 100 days, such a timeline could not be ruled out given developments in Peninsular Malaysia. It can happen. The key is in the Premier’s hands.

I have pointed out that recent political developments, including the dissolution of state assemblies in Johor and Negeri Sembilan and the possibility of more states following suit, could influence election planning nationwide. If more states are going for elections, it may be better to hold them together with the general election to save costs. I have added that organising separate state and parliamentary elections within a short period would incur significantly higher expenses compared to conducting them simultaneously.

For Sarawak, if the election is called this month, we are well prepared and that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) shall remain confident of retaining its power. At the same time, it was normal for political parties to introduce new faces in elections, noting that candidate renewal is part of the grooming process for future leadership. 

In every election will see some candidates dropped and some new faces introduced. That is part of the responsibility of every party. On another matter, I have expressed doubts for Sarawak’s proposal to increase the number of state seats from 82 to 99 could be implemented before the coming election. Even though the motion, which was passed by the Sarawak Legislative Assembly last year, it still requires endorsement at the federal level before the delineation process can proceed. Looking at the time available and the procedures involved, I have my doubts that it can go through before the next state election.