A race of 30-horsepower boats in progress.
Members of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) welcome the Chief Minister in traditional Iban costumes.
Colourful view at the river front.
(From right) Adenan, Aaron and Masing watching the 30-horsepower powerboat race.
KANOWIT: Kanowit Festival drew down its curtain on Sunday, leaving sweet memories for about 30,000 visitors to the week-long event here.
The festival was organised by Kanowit District Council to promote domestic tourism and to foster goodwill among the locals.
Some 150 stalls selling various items, including food and drinks, clothes, handicrafts and furniture were set up during the festival which began on Nov 21.
There were also entertainment programmes and property promotion.
Patron Datuk Gramong Juna said thousands of people thronged the town every night throughout the festival.
“This is the time we interact with each other regardless of race, religion and background to strengthen our existing good ties. Here in this small town, we can chance upon each other few times a day.
“This event is a platform for us to show to others our good ties so we can be their example,” he said during the opening of a powerboat race held in conjunction with the festival on Sunday.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was the guest of honour at the function.
At the same function, Gramong, who is also Assistant Land Development Minister and Machan assemblyman, assured Adenan of all-out support from people of Machan and Ngemah state constituencies.
“From my personal view, the Chief Minister is the protector and defender of our state’s rights and the champion of the people, particularly the poor and rural community.
“He had many programmes planned. Rural Transformation programmes put in place recently show how serious he is towards his people.
“I see no reason why we cannot give him another five years as our Chief Minister,” he said.
Gramong said Kanowit like other towns in the state had undergone vast development since independence.
Others present were Adenan’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent.