10,00 witnesses opening ceremony (From page 1)
In his welcoming speech earlier, Dr Toyad revealed that the division’s most awaited project, the Mukah new airport, is expected to be completed next year.
“We can envisage a better year ahead especially with the completion of the airport next year. That is the good news from the federal government which I would like to share with the people of Mukah division today. And it will definitely be a boost for the tourism industry in Mukah, especially during festivals like this,” he said.
He pointed out that the bigger airport would not only have positive impact on visitor arrivals but also on the social and economic development in the division.
On the success of Kaul Festival in attracting tens of thousands of people, Dr Toyad attributed it to Tun Pehin Sri Taib, who is the brainchild behind the staging of this annual event.
“This year is the 17th edition. The event has attracted tens of thousands of people from all walks of life since it was first held, although it is the festival of the Melanaus. To me it has been the festival of every Mukahan and Sarawakian based on the response from the masses. It is also one of appropriate avenues to unite the colourful society of Sarawak,” he said.
The Head of State was then invited to launched the Mukah Kaul Festival 2017, by placing of the main component `Serahang’ onto its stand.
This was followed with the presentation of the souvenir to the guest of honour, stage presentation by Seni Warisan Kaul Mukah 2017, Kaul feast called `Majlis Keman Kaul bersama TYT and wife’ during which the guests were entertained by local singers, Finny Abdul Rahman and Christopher Spencer who rendered P.Ramlee’s songs; and ‘Keroncong’ by an invited group from Indonesia.
