A riot of colour at Pesta Lawas

by Philip Kiew. Posted on May 27, 2012, Sunday

LAWAS: Pesta Lawas 2012 has brought much excitement and colour to Lawas town over the last two days.

EXCITING: A nail-biting finish for one of the races.

Adding to the excitement is the Marketing Expo Roadshow and RTM’s Gegar Olimpik.

Festival-goers thronged the riverbank to watch the Lawas Regatta where the teams clash to win the title of Raja Sungai Lawas. The finals will be held today.

All the top paddling powerhouses – former Sungai Sarawak champion Pusaka and perennial champion Landas, defending champion Citra Alti, the Sabah champion and Brunei Regatta champion are competing.

With 600 stalls selling an assortment of goods, Lawas Kitchen, concerts, floats and lantern procession, all hotel rooms here were snapped up two months ago.

Some visitors and media representatives were even forced to stay in Beaufort, Sabah, as all the accommodation in neighbouring Sipitang have also been fully booked.

LET THE SHOW BEGIN: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud fitting the oar into the picture to declare open Pesta Lawas 2012 as other dignitaries look on.

MULTI-CULTURAL AFFAIR: (From left) Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, State Secretary Datu Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan drop by a traditional Chinese stall.

OVER TO YOU: Dyg Morliah (left) presents a souvenir to Ragad while being watched by (from left) Henry, Taib and Awg Tengah.

WARM WELCOME: Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan (third left) and entourage receive a traditional welcome from the Tagal community.

TASTE OF TRADITION: A stall selling traditional sago-based dishes.

RIVER TRANSPORT: A boat plying along Lawas river ferrying visitors to the festival.

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