Bintulu Regatta one of district’s high-impact events, says Deputy Minister

BINTULU (Dec 7): The Bintulu Regatta has long been one of the district’s high-impact events, said Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Majang Renggi.

He said that aside from its cultural and heritage value, the regatta helped to stimulate the local economy through the arrival of visitors from within and outside the district.

“This creates opportunities for small traders, water sports operators, creative communities, food providers and the service sector to grow,” said the Samalaju assemblyman during the closing and prize-giving ceremony yesterday.

He added the event also promoted Bintulu’s riverfront attractions, such as the iconic Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge, as well as the district’s rising tourism destination potential.

“With stronger media support and digital promotion, I am confident that Bintulu’s name would shine even brighter on the tourism map,” he said.

He also noted that the regatta encouraged a healthy lifestyle, which indirectly fuelled the younger generation’s interest in the event and ensuring this heritage would be preserved and passed down.

Majang said the diverse programmes held during the regatta, such as sales booths, the Sejati Madani programme, children’s colouring contest, Bintulu Flotilla Parade, bike gathering, Bomba run and nightly cultural entertainment reinforced the regatta’s role as an inclusive and family-centre event.

He also noted the Bintulu Regatta’s revival this year was well-timed. The last time the regatta was held was in 2012.

Also present were Bintulu Resident Datu Nyurak Keti, Bintulu District assistant officer Suzanna Indiat, Bintulu police chief Supt Nixon Joshua Ali and Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad representative Maslihah Tioh.