Bintulu Regatta returns after 13 years with strong community turnout

BINTULU (Dec 6): The Bintulu Regatta 2025 made a strong comeback after a 13-year hiatus, with over 3,000 spectators thronging the Bintulu Waterfront Pier 99 to witness the return of the iconic river festival.

Bintulu district officer Awang Mohammed Nizam Awang Ali Bohan expressed deep appreciation for the strong turnout and renewed community spirit surrounding the regatta.

“The Bintulu Regatta is more than just a boat race; it is a platform that unites us as one big Bintulu family, regardless of ethnicity or background,” he said during the regatta’s opening ceremony.

Highlighting the traditional wooden boat races as the core attraction, Awang Nizam said the regatta embodied the values of endurance, discipline and unity — qualities deeply rooted in the community’s cultural heritage.

He noted the long gap since the last regatta in 2012 only increased public anticipation, and hoped the event would now continue as an annual celebration.

The 2025 edition featured an expanded lineup of activities, including entrepreneur booths; hiking and outdoor activities; children’s colouring contest; bike gathering; 20km run; nightly entertainment shows; and the highly-anticipated illuminated boat parade.

“These programmes make the Bintulu Regatta a truly holistic community event that caters to all age groups.

“Without the unity and cooperation of the volunteers, security forces, organising committee and local traders, an event of this scale would not be possible,” he said.