KUCHING: Santubong Day Festival (SDF) needs to be elevated in order to be on par with the World Harvest Festival (WHF), said Assistant Minister of Utilities (Rural Electricity) Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi. SDF needs to be introduced to the whole world in view that Santubong has its own unique history and heritage that need preservation, he pointed out.
“History tells us that the first time SDF was held during the British rule in Sarawak, namely before the formation of Malaysia. SDF was the most popular festival in the state long before the start of other festivals that we now have,” he said.
This was said in his speech while officiating at the launch of SDF 2018 held at Kampung Santubong Hall on Saturday evening. He added SDF must be made as an annual event for Sarawak and to be celebrated everlastingly in order for the outside world to know about Sarawak. “I also suggest that SDF be listed in the Sarawak Tourism Calendar starting next year.
“Only through such manner can we ensure to preserve Sarawak history and heritage,” he stressed. The Pantai Damai State Assemblyman also explained that this measure needed to be taken in view that SDF would be able to teach the younger generations on the unique Sarawak state and its history.
“We have been able to uphold Kaul Festival as well as Benak Festival to the extent that they have achieved such magnitude and I don’t see why we can’t do similarly for SDF,” Rahman said adding that the state government would continue to support SDF so that it could become an annual event in Sarawak.
“We will try our best to increase the momentum in order to make SDF an iconic event in Sarawak,” he said. In this regard, the people in Sarawak are encouraged to come and support SDF 2018 that runs from 11 April through to this 15 July in Kampung Santubong.
