Baram Regatta to be biennial event

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An Orang Ulu performing the warrior dance on a long boat filled with a gaint-size sape, graceful maiden dancers, and paddlers at the opening ceremony of the Baram Regatta.

MARUDI: The Baram Regatta, which has been held once in three years, will now be a biennial event.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem said the regatta had put Baram on the map  nationally and internationally, particularly among Southeast Asian countries.

“Let the world know about Baram Regatta, and I think we have to hold the Baram Regatta every two years instead of every three years, and the state government is prepared to sponsor it,” he said when opening the event yesterday.

Adenan said it was important for the people to take pride in their identity as Orang Ulus, Ibans or other races in Baram because this is what made Sarawak unique.

Sharing his pride of being uniquely Sarawakian, Adenan said no other state could replicate how Sarawakians lived harmoniously and peacefully together.

“The different colours, languages, and styles in Baram – this is Sarawak. This is what makes us proud to be uniquely Sarawakians,” he said.

Meanwhile, Adenan said foreigners were welcome  to visit the state as tourists to appreciate the rich cultural heritage and traditions.

However, he warned that Sarawak would not bow to foreign demands and interferences in the running of the state.

“We will not submit to such agendas through their agents, but will continue to develop as this is our country. Do not tell us what to do with ourselves,” he stressed.

Adenan and his wife Puan Sri Datuk Jamilah Anu received a warm and colourful welcome for their first visit to the area since he took over as Chief Minister.

The Baram Regatta started from a peace-making conference among warring tribes in Baram basin in 1899.

Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Assistant Minister of Resource Planning Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais.