Manyin (standing, third left) presents the challenge trophy to Team Kuching. On his right is Sagah.
SERIAN: Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong accepts his new portfolio as Minister of Youth and Sports and Solidarity as a challenge he can overcome.
His first pledge yesterday was to ensure that the Sarawak International Remote Control held at Serian Lake Garden since 2014 will go on and become grander in the next five years.
The prize-giving for this year’s edition of the event, which attracted 25 teams from Sarawak, West Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei and Indonesia, was held yesterday and it was also the first to be officiated by Manyin since he was appointed to this new portfolio.
Manyin said the event, which has been funded mostly from his minor rural project (MRP) allocation, will start receiving annual funds from his new ministry next year.
The five-term Tebedu assemblyman also pledged to get support from Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to make this event a tourism product to attract more tourists to his hometown Serian.
“I hope this ministry will give me rejuvenation. From now onwards, I hope I will not look old but look young since I will be mixing with a lot of young people,” he said in jest in his speech.
Manyin also spoke about what he expected to be the most challenging part of the new portfolio.
“Sport is one part. The biggest part (of the portfolio) will be on unity which is very hard and I don’t know whether I am the right person to tackle this issue. Sport is straight forward but the last part is very difficult,” he said.
He nonetheless remained optimistic about performing his new duties well and he hoped to use this to full advantage in promoting sports tourism in Serian.
“With the elevation of Serian district into a division (last year), we need more international events of this nature to promote Sarawak and to promote Serian. This is my hometown.
“The Lake Garden will be bigger with the creation of another lake (soon),” he said, adding other improved facilities will also be coming in.
The new portfolio for Manyin was unveiled when Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem announced the new state cabinet last Friday.
Prior to this, Manyin was Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications in the previous cabinet.
He had also held the post of Minister of Housing and Minister of Tourism and Urban Development before this.
Meanwhile, Serian district officer Sinde Mulling, in congratulating Manyin for the new portfolio, expressed hope that this event previously known as Serian Remote Control Carnival would be bigger next year.
He said the event was growing in popularity, evidenced by the 467 remote control boats taking part this year compared to 393 last year.
The main category for this event was RC boat racing, but other events such as RC cars and RC helicopters were held at parts of the garden.
Team Kuching emerged overall winner for the second consecutive year and brought home Dato Sri Michael Manyin Challenge Trophy and cash prize.
Also present yesterday were Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Serian Resident Dahim Nadot and Serian District Council secretary Joseph Indi.