Torchbearers cover 5km for Kapit leg of 39th National Chinese Cultural Festival Torch Relay

KAPIT (Aug 5): Kapit Marathon Club members ran 5km yesterday from Kampung Cina, Bletih to the Kapit Town Square for the Kapit leg of the 39th National Chinese Cultural Festival Torch Relay.

At the town square, Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi received the torch from Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee and then lit the cauldron.

“This festival, which has been held every year in Sarawak, has played an important role in uniting people of various races, ethnicities, and cultures. To promote Chinese culture, which is familiar for us here, this torch relay has become a symbol of the wealth of values ​​and culture of the Chinese community, which is handed down from one generation to another and to inculcate the spirit of unity and togetherness of diverse communities.

“Sarawak is an example and a benchmark of unity and harmony that needs to be emulated by other states in the country,” Nanta said to the crowd of some 500 participants gathered at the square.

He said under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sarawak has achieved many successes within a short period of five years.

“We are now very clear on the way forward in Malaysia under the slogan ‘Sarawak First’. ‘Sarawak First’ not only looks after Sarawakians but of all us in the country. We always work for the future of our children.

“Our people live in unity, harmony, and better lives. We are indeed lucky to have a visionary and dynamic Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari and many others for their vision. Sarawak is able to generate wealth and through his wisdom able to deliver wealth to benefit us all,” Nanta said.

He said although Kapit is a rural area, we already reap the fruits of development with infrastructure and amenities built to benefit the people.

“We in Kapit are not marginalised under the Premier, we can rest assured we will get what we need. Kapit is very much part of development in Sarawak. Recently, the Premier shared a lot on the way forward for Kapit to develop. I assure you, Kapit is on the right track of development,” he added.

The performances for the event included the 24 festival drums, dragon dance, and lion dance by school and association troupes.