Baram Regatta opens with a VIP splash

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Paddlers and dancers getting ready on their boats to perform before Adenan and his entourage.

Adenan (second right) pulling a replica of the long boat to symbolically launch this years’ Baram Regatta.

Organising chairman Entri (left) presenting a souvenir to Jabu.

The paddlers performing before Adenan and his entourage at the main stage.

The crowds packing Marudi town yesterday.

 

 

 

 

MARUDI: It was a riot of colour and culture here when the Orang Ulu people welcomed Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, his wife Puan Sri Datuk Jamilah Anu and his entourage upon their arrival at about 11am yesterday for the grand opening of Baram Regatta 2014.

More than 10,000 people from across Baram, Miri, Bintulu and Belaga has thronged this town since Friday as all hotels, lodging houses and homestays here have all been fully booked.

Among those in the entourage were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Openg.

The entourage was then greeted by state Deputy Secretary Datu Ose Murang, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) who is also the organising chairman Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and a huge crowd at the custom wharf.

The Orang Ulu people namely the Penans, Berawans, Kenyahs, Kayans, Kelabits, Ibans, Sabans and many more were all donning their best traditional costumes and headgear.

It was Adenan’s first Baram Regatta experience since becoming the fifth chief minister earlier this year.

There were performances from the Orang Ulu people who performed their dances on long boats before the chief minister and his entourage at the main stage.

The entourage left Marudi at about 2pm.