Friends of Sarawak Museum (FoSM) chairman Lim Kian Hock presenting a recent press cutting of the Bau Festival and Jong Regatta to Benjamin Richard. With them is FoSM executive director Louise Macul.
KUCHING: Briton Benjamin Richard, an ecologist and grandson of former Resident AJN Richard, fulfilled his dream of retracing his grandfather’s footsteps and legacy when he came to Sarawak recently.
With great interest in Sarawak’s cultural heritage, Richard also plans to visit the former Second division (Simanggang) and Third division (Sibu).
The late AJN Richard had great interest in the culture and tradition of Sarawak communities, particularly the Ibans.
AJN Richard also left behind a beautiful cultural-tourism festival – the Bau Jong Regatta – arising from his love of model sailing boats.
When he was District Officer in Kapit, he showcased his beautiful model boat ‘Katty Shark’.
As District Officer in Bau, he inspired the locals to build model boats of local design and started the Bau Jong Regatta at the lake near the Bau District Officer’s Bungalow.
This popular regatta ran for 13 years from 1952 and then ceased in 1965.
It was revived in 1969 during the confrontation period under the Bau Recreation Club by Bau District Officer and club chairman Adenan Aman, assisted by his secretary Lim Kian Hock.