MIRI: More than 10,000 people are expected to throng Marudi town during the Baram Regatta from Aug 22 to 23 this year.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said this is because the Miri-Marudi road had been upgraded, thus enabling more people to come to the regatta.
The road was upgraded by the Royal Army Engineers Regiment through the ‘Jiwa Murni’ programme.
“We are glad that the construction of the road has made it a lot easier for the people to travel to Marudi and vice-versa,” he said.
When asked if the delay in the construction of the bridge at Sungai Arang to replace the ferry there would affect the number of people visiting the regatta, Ngau said it would not pose a problem.
This is because previous regattas had attracted thousands of people despite the long queues at the Sungai Arang ferry point, he pointed out.
“However, we also pray that the bridge would be completed before the regatta, even though it is not a guarantee as the construction of the bridge also depends on the weather,” he added.
He hopes the Orang Ulu community, particularly from Baram and towns like Miri and Bintulu close to Marudi, will travel to Marudi to attend the regatta.