MIRI: The city should plan and develop signature events to attract more crowds to come here, says Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
“Develop an event for Miri…like the Tidal Bore festival (Pesta Benak) in Sri Aman or gastronomy events in Kuching,” he disclosed on Tuesday night at the launching of Taste of Borneo Carnival 2023 at Miri Indoor Stadium.
“I hope Miri, one day maybe you can call it something that you can associate with perhaps the city of unity or gastronomy city,” he pointed out.
A total of 150 food and beverages stalls took part in the 10 -day second edition of the Taste of Borneo Carnival 2023 which will end on Oct 29, featuring local delicacies from various ethnic groups in Sarawak.
It was first held in 2017.
Commending the organisers of this year’s event, Snowdan described the event as a successful community-based event.
“We want to see it grow bigger and better in future,” he told the crowds, adding that the state government through his ministry would always give its support.
He disclosed his ministry has approved funding worth RM2.58 million to 54 associations and out of this figure , eight were from Miri (with allocations of more than RM500,000) to organise various workshops.
Also present were Deputy Miri Resident Juan Abit, event director Datuk Hii King Chiong, carnival presiding officer Ting Pang Soon, carnival organising chairman Leong Soon Kian, president of Miri Indian association Cr Karambir Singh, president of Dayak Association Miri Penghulu Wilfred Mac, president of Persatuan Melayu Miri Radzali Allision, president of Kedayan Miri Mohd Abdullah Jamin, president of Melanau Miri Cr Abdullah Jaini, chairman of Dayak Bidayuh National Association Miri Simon Illus, president of Miri Punjabi Association Parveen Kaur, president of Rurum Kelabit Sarawak Datuk Dr Philip Raja, president Masyarakat Saban Sarawak Usat Bilong, and chairman of Persatuan Lun Bawang Sarawak Miri branch Agong Upai.
