Raja Lawak adjudged ‘King of Jong Regatta 2012’

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WINNERS: Bojeng (right) and Raymondo hold up their trophies and certificates while posing with jockeys Azlan (right), James (third right) and their grandchildren.

BAU:  Raja Lawak was declared the ‘King of Jong Regatta 2012’ after winning the highest ranked Schooner Class A category at the junk regatta held at Tasik Biru here over the weekend.

Raja Lawak (king of comedy) finished ahead of Ertica Erna II and Cinderella to earn its jockey Azlan Bojeng a trophy and RM500 cash. Second place jockey James Samiol walked home with RM400 and a trophy while Laila Johari who guided the Cinderella junk won RM300 and a trophy.

“It took me five months to build the Raja Lawak. Overall I spent about RM1,000 to build the junk. The designs were taken from catalogues of boats that I’ve seen previously. As for the name, it was inspired by a famous comedy reality show on television,” said 83-year-old Bojeng Lamat, who built the winner.

He was met by reporters after the prize giving ceremony officiated by Assistant Minister of Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, who is also Tasik Biru assemblyman.

Bojeng, who participated in the first Bau Jong Regatta in 1950, had a few winning creations. One of his favourites was a junk called Emas Putih, which bagged the top category three times in the past. Hailing from Kpg Penghulu Bau, he first took up the craft in
1950 upon knowing of the competition.

Azlan who steered the junk to victory on Saturday is Bojeng’s son.

The Schooner Class A category this year was a close battle, considering that second place winner Ertica Erna II was built by another veteran craftsman Raymondo Allas, 79, who recorded seven top category wins in the past. Raymondo is a veteran with 52 years experience in making miniature junks.

On the regatta, Bojeng welcomed the strong competition from younger craftsmen this year, stating that the trade should be passed on to the youths and be developed further. A total of 40 participants entered the Schooner Class A category this year.

Winners in the fourth till 10th placing in the Schooner Class A category received RM100. They were Leman Jili with his Sinar Harapan PKL, Ismarddy Aminah (Tiara), Siti Aishah Zainol Rashid (BD 10), Mohd Khuzaimie (Kalan 1), Hazman Ghazali (Bujang Kelana), Amirul Drahman (Legend Killer) and Sairi Hussin with his Transformer (in 10th place).

A total of RM13,300 in cash prizes were on offer to top 10 winners in 13 categories.

Apart from the Schooner Class A category, all other categories including Schooner Class B category offered RM300, RM200 and RM100 for first, second and third placing respectively. Fourth to 10th place winners received RM50 in consolation prizes.

The categories were ‘Barong’, ‘Bandong’, ‘Skuci’ and ‘Kotak’ – Class A (above two feet in length) and Class B (below two feet). These included the Most Decorated Junk category, Miscellaneous and Open Rafting competition which saw participation by 21 Men’s and six Women’s teams.

The Jong Regatta 2012 received 464 entries in various categories.