Sarawak Regatta – Kuching Waterfront Festival set to make waves with international competitions, cultural showcases

KUCHING (Oct 16): The Kuching Waterfront will be buzzing with a host of activities in conjunction with the Sarawak Regatta – Kuching Waterfront Festival this Oct 25 to Nov 3.

State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the highlights of the event will be the Sarawak Regatta and the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta.

“About 2,000 rowers from outside and within Malaysia representing 61 teams from 21 countries will take part in the 10th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta from Oct 25-27.

“The races for the Perahu Sarawak Regatta will be held from Nov 1-3 at Sungai Sarawak along the Kuching Waterfront,” Abdul Karim told a press conference at the Kuching Waterfront Hotel today during the sponsorship presentation ceremony.

A total of around RM1.5 million was received by the organisers with RM500,000 from Petros as platinum sponsor, RM300,000 each from Petronas, Petra Energy Berhad, Bintulu Port Holdings as gold sponsors and RM50,000 from JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration (Malaysia) Limited as bronze sponsor.

Other co-sponsors include Sarawork Sdn Bhd, Hock Peng Realty Sdn Bhd, Ta Ann Holdings Berhad, Borneo Housing Mortgage Finance Berhad, Sarawak Plantation Berhad and MOMA Water.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors who have contributed to the organising of the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival.

“Our Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) will perform the eye-dotting and officiate the opening for the Sarawak Regatta on Oct 26 whereas the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar will witness the Piala Raja Sungai race on Nov 3.

“Other activities will be the Sarawak Entrepreneur Showcase, Borneo Craft Festival, cooking demonstration, and Festival Gendang Melayu Sarawak,” added Abdul Karim.

Also present at the press conference were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting Chew Yew, the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Sherina Hussaini and Kuching Resident Dayang Joanita Azizah Abang Morshidi.