KUCHING: Sarawak is eagerly anticipating its acquisition of Maswings, aiming to attract more visitors, including international participants, for Sarawak Regatta, dragon boat events and other significant occasions in the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said there is already an overwhelming response from participants in the International Dragon Boat Regatta event here this year.
“I have just discussed with Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah that Sarawak may see an increase of festivals and the regatta is one of them.
“Therefore, next year, there is a possibility that once the acquisition of Maswings is completed, we want to offer special chartered flights so that we can bring in these international participants for the dragon boat race and also promote Sarawak further,” he said.
He said this to reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Regatta – Kuching Waterfront Festival at the Kuching Waterfront here today (Oct 28).
Abang Johari added that according to Abdul Karim, there was significant interest from various countries to participate in this year’s international dragon boat race.
“However, there were certain constraints. For instance, Spain wanted to send over 100 paddlers to participate in the event for the sake of sports.
“As such, next year, we are expected to witness a surge in the number of participants,” he said.
Earlier, Abang Johari performed the eye dotting on the dragon boats to mark the opening of the Sarawak Regatta – Kuching Waterfront Festival.
This year’s International Dragon Boat Regatta will take place from Oct 27 to 29, while the Sarawak Regatta will be held from Nov 3 to 5.
Other activities to be held during the Sarawak Regatta from Oct 27 to Nov 5 are the Sarawak Kitchen Festival and Borneo Textile Craft Sale, cultural performances, Sarawak Malay Drum Competition and many more.
Meanwhile, Sarawak is looking to officially acquire MASwings within the next three months and commence its first flight by next year.
During the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Management of Rural Air Services by Acquisition of Shares in MASwings at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Friday (Oct 27), Abang Johari said the condition of taking over the MASwings is that it must fly beyond Borneo.
“With the regional destinations about six to seven hours away, this will include Far East countries such as Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, India and Australia,” he said.
