By Lydia Aman
LUNDU: Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah have lauded the Batang Kayan regatta as a show of local culture.
He viewed that the regatta was a product of sports tourism that bridged the gap between Lundu residents and visitors.
“The ministry will continue efforts to popularise the Lundu district as a tourism hub with the implementation of iconic festivals such as this.
“We aim to make the district as a new destination for eco-tourism,” he said when officiating at the Batang Kayan Festival here on Sunday.
Abdul Karim pointed out 14 programmes in the festival which aimed to attract visitors such as sports competition, cultural show, bike show and auto show.
“Besides that, the programme also promotes local products such as kuih koci, fish crackers, tapai, kuih takei, ketupat Sematan and Sematan crabs, all popular among Sarawakians.
The Asajaya assemblyman opined that the festival allowed local dwellers to improve their economy through the income generated during the three-day programme.
He predicted in the future that more tourists would be able to visit the district when the Rambungan bridge is completed.
“This will shorten the journey as the distance will be closer. In line with that, basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges and accommodation have to be upgraded in order to cater for the increasing number of tourists.”
Also present during the programme were Tanjung Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu.
She presented prizes to winners of the Batang Kayan regatta. The winner of the 30-paddler category, which carried the title ‘Raja Sungai Batang Kayan’, was Yayasan Sarawak Puteri Dang Balai.
The team, led by Mohd Azlie Ibrahim, brought home RM5,000 along with a trophy and certificates.
The first runner-up was Buraq Terbang 4, who won RM4,000, a trophy and certificates.
In third was Yayasan Sarawak, who pocketed RM3,000, a trophy and certificates.
