MUKAH: Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo wants a traditional sport – the bidar lukut race — at the Tellian Ulu Village here to be included in the Sarawak tourism calendar.
“If possible, we will put this sport in the annual calendar in Mukah on either Aug 31 or another date,” he revealed yesterday.
He has asked the committee involved to consult the Mukah District Office on the matter.
“Every year, we provide an allocation to the organisers and we thank Kelab Sukan dan Rekreasi Tellian Dagen Daya (Tujunokala) which is very cooperative in the event.”
Yussibnosh said this when officiating at Perlumbaan Bidar 8 Salui Lukut Piala GPS at Litar Alan Rossi Kampung Tellian Ulu here yesterday.
‘Bidar’ refers to a boat while ‘lukut’ refers to a part of a plant on its stem and branch.
The bidar lukut requires the the wind power to move forward. The stronger the wind blows, the faster the bidar moves.
Yussibnosh said Tujunokala’s hard work had aided the development of the sport as more and more villagers in Mukah were taking part in it.
“This encourages us to make it an annual event. We want the race to be developed to a higher level,” he said.
Yussibnosh said his proposal would be submitted to the Tourism Task Group (TTS).
“Bidar lukut will attract tourists from outside Mukah and even foreign tourists. We want to organise it two or four times a year, not just for the National Day,” he added.
“The location of the event depends on the suitability of a river. Direction and wind speed also play a vital role in determining the speed of the bidar lukut,” he said.
