MIRI: The duration for the Miri Bubuk Festival for next year, is likely to be extended to three days, instead of one day presently.
This idea was mooted by Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew to accommodate all the activities and events that will be taking place during the festival.
Ting made the suggestion on Saturday, at the launching of the fourth edition of the Miri Bubuk Festival at Kuala Batu 1 Fish Market.
He believes that a three-day event will provide enough time for visitors to fully experience and enjoy all the Bubuk Festival has to offer.
“By extending the festival to three days, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in various cultural performances, food tastings, and traditional ceremonies. Overall, the proposed three-day duration aims to create a more immersive and enriching experience for everyone involved,” Ting explained.
Ting was representing Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“One day may be too short for the festival, and we probably extend three days starting from Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a start in the Bubuk Festival 2025,” Ting added.
He said, by increasing the duration of the festival, it allows for more people to participate and attend the event.
“This can attract more tourists, especially those from Brunei and local visitors to the area, thereby boosting the local economy and creating more opportunities for businesses to thrive,” he said,
On another note, in reply to Miri city mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang’s suggestion to upgrade the Kuala Batu 1 Fish Market to create one side for selling fish and another side for eatery, Ting lauded the idea.
“When we go to other countries, a lot of places that have been extended into tourist attraction areas are not only visited by tourists but locals also go there….I’m sure once upgrading is completed, this place will be a place people will go,” he pointed out.
The festival, which has been established since 2018, is organised by the Miri City Council (MCC) and features a variety of activities, including demonstrations of traditional bubuk catching methods, cooking demonstrations of bubuk-based dishes, sales of bubuk-based products, such as belacan (shrimp paste), cencalok (fermented shrimp), and keropok (shrimp crackers) and cultural performances.
