MIRI: The Babulang Charity Golf was held at Kelab Golf Miri, with 124 golfers from Sarawak, Labuan, Kuala Lumpur and Brunei participating yesterday.
This game served as a prelude to other events of the Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race and attracted the participation of Sang Jati Dusun, Gurkha Regiment Golf Team, Brunei, as well as a team from Pantai Mentiri Golf Club, Brunei, led by Colonel Zahrin Zunaidi.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, who praised the Bisayas for their ability to organise large events despite being a small community. He also commended their strong cooperation and leadership development that keeps the community united.
Gerawat noted the smooth transition of leadership in Persatuan Bisaya Sarawak over the years, with the latest being in 2021 when Datuk Antonio Kahti Galis handed over the presidency to the current president, Joseph Blandoi.
Meanwhile, Joseph said that the game was organised to raise funds to help the underprivileged members of the community, as in previous years. He also announced that part of the funds collected from last year’s game was used to support 33 underprivileged people from the community and invited those present at the game to this year’s festival, which is slated to take place from June 2 to 4.
Many officials and organisations pledged their support, with Gerawat contributing RM15,000, Deputy Minister of Tourism Sebastian Ting contributing RM3,000, and Miri Mayor Adam Yii contributing RM2,000. Other contributors included Sime Darby Oils, Wilmar, Perunding SL, Persafe Plantation, Plantmax, Envlp Construction, Dr Rolland Dom Matu, and others.
Additionally, Deputy Premier Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Minister of Food Industry Stephen Rundi Utom pledged RM50,000 each to help organize the Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race. Yii and advisor to Persatuan Bisaya Sarawak, Antonio, were also present at the event.
