FULL REHEARSAL: Thunder flares and smoke grenades to add colour to tomorrow’s grand opening.
Abang Shamsudin Abang Seruji
KUCHING: The necessary measures are taken to ensure Sarawak Regatta 2013 is free from any untoward incident.
Organising committee co-chairman and Kuching Resident Abang Shamsudin Abang Seruji said they had to ensure the two-day event run smoothly in terms of safety and security.
“For public safety and security on land, 216 police personnel will be deployed on both banks of the river.
“For safety and security in the river, around 50 boats will be deployed by various agencies including Marine, Marine Police, Sarawak Rivers Board and Fire and Rescue Department who will control the river,” he said.
He said this after witnessing the full rehearsal for tomorrow’s grand opening of Sarawak Regatta 2013 by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Shamsudin said the number of personnel to look after the safety and security of participants and spectators would be bigger this year to ensure the event is incident-free.
“The only problem will be parking space but we encourage people from Kuching and outside who come to see the boat race to park their vehicles away from the waterfront.
“We hope they don’t mind walking some distance ratherthan causing or adding to the traffic congestion,” he said, adding that reminders will be issued through the media to remind the public to observe traffic arrangement on that day.
“We expect a big crowd at Kuching waterfront on the race days and we hope people will cooperate for the success of this year’s Sarawak Regatta,” he said.