STILL GOING STRONG: (From fourth left) Boniface and Ahmad Lai in a photo call with the organising committee at the press conference.
MIRI: Over 30,000 people are expected to converge on Niah Bazaar for a three-day bi-annual Sibuti Regatta from Sept 20.
Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang told a press conference here yesterday that the event would also serve as a platform to unite people of various racial and religious backgrounds here including foreign and domestic tourists.
“We are looking forward to the event as it has always served as a platform for national integration and also one that helps to promote Sibuti to the outside world,” he said.
Ahmad Lai, who is also the patron of the event, added that the colourful boat race was one of major activities in Sibuti known for its fishing industry.
Miri District Officer Boniface Intang Apat, who is also the event’s organising chairman, said this year’s event would take place at Niah Bazaar.
“Niah is chosen because it is midway between Bintulu and Miri and a popular stopover for people using buses travelling between the two centres.”
The regatta, carrying the slogan ‘Regatta Sibuti – Where Spirit of Unity Soars’ – will involve 21 race categories, will also have side events including stage show and folks games depicting the multiracial community in Malaysia, apart from booths selling local products and handicrafts.
The event was first held in 1959 at Sibuti Riverfront but was stopped for many years before it was started again in 1988 at the same location, followed by another one in 2001.
After a 10-year lapse Ahmad Lai Bujang revived the event in 2011 and this is the second one he is coordinating.