Fewer participants in 2017 raft safari

KAPIT: The annual Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari is hosting fewer participants this year than it did in previous editions.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, who is Baleh assemblyman, noticed the decline which he opined could be attributed partly to the hosting of many other activities such as power boat racing and mountain bike challenge.

It is learned that this year, the Kapit Resident’s Office has managed to gather 26 rafting teams representing the Royal Malaysia Police, Armed Forces, government departments and agencies, private sector, village security and development committees (JKKKs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Another key factor could be the softening of the economy this time around, opined Masing who is also Infrastructure Development and Transportation Minister.

“I don’t quite know the reasons. The event used to gather 70 to 80 teams back in the days; then again, the economy was good then. Maybe the participants could not fully allocate their time and resources for the safari as they need to earn their livelihood elsewhere.

“Besides, there are lots of activities going on now, so much so that the number of those going for the rafting challenge has gone down,” the minister told The Borneo Post here on Saturday after the flag-off at Rumah Ansi in Nanga Sepajie, which is about six to seven hours’ longboat journey along the Rajang River from this town.

The Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari was introduced by Masing in 1996 as an event to boost economic activities for Baleh constituents especially the longhouse folk, as well as to promote this district as a premier destination for ‘Culture, Adventure and Nature’ (CAN) tourism.

The safari is open for participation to local and international rafting teams.

Adding on, Masing acknowledged that to address the low turnout for the rafting event, the organising committee must look at several angles including the hosting frequency of this annual race.

“How many times should it be held in a year – once or twice, or perhaps biennially? We don’t know – let the (Kapit) Resident’s Office look into that and then, we see what we can do.

“Most importantly, we strive to maintain it (Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari) because that it is good for the longhouse folk. It is the only other activity that they can be involved in apart from the Gawai Dayak celebration,” he said.

However, Masing acknowledged that it was ‘expensive’ to organise the rafting event.

“It is fortunate for us to receive sponsorships from so many of those from the business community, especially the businessmen from all around Kapit. To all of you, I say thank you very much. We really need that kind of support to make it work,” he said.

The Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari consists of two segments – the flag-off at Rumah Ansi and the second leg at Rumah Along in Nanga Majau.

The teams took off from Rumah Ansi on Saturday – passing Rajang River, Baleh River, Mujong River and Majau River along the way before arriving at Rumah Along, where they spent the night.

They embarked from the Rumah Along early yesterday and arrived at Kapit Terminal in the afternoon.

The teams were welcomed by Masing, who was accompanied by assemblymen Wilson Nyabong Ijang (Pelagus), Alexander Vincent (Ngemah), Majang Renggi (Samalaju) and Chukpai Ugon (Murum), political secretary to chief minister Nicholas Kudi Jantai, Kapit Walikota Philimon Nuing, Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong who is also the event organising chairman, deputy Kapit Resident Galong Luang, Kapit District Officer Elvis Didit, Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga, First Division Infantry Commander Major General Datuk Stephen Mundaw, Kapit police chief DSP Freddy Bian, Kapit Youth and Sports officer Jack Janda and Kapit District Council secretary Jabang Juntam.

The rafting challenge comprised five categories – Men’s Bamboo Open, Men’s Bamboo Closed (Inter-Department), Women’s Bamboo Open, Freestyle and Paddle Boat which is open to men and women.

The power boat race, held at Kapit Riverfront, gathered some 40 contestants while the mountain bike challenge attracted 21 cyclists, who covered a 48km route that began at the Katibas bridge in Song District and ended at Kapit Town Square.

These series of competitions were organised by Kapit Resident’s Office and run by Kapit Tourism Task Group, with support from state and federal tourism authorities.