Penguang (centre) presents a certificate of appreciation to deputy education officer Jalong Wan. Also seen is Gerawat.
MARUDI: The state will continue to hold the Baram Regatta because it remains a unique event despite the lower turnout of spectators this year.
Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil said both Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had praised this year’s regatta.
“As they said, you cannot see this elsewhere in Sarawak – the Baram Regatta is colourful and unique to the ethnic groups of Baram. That is the icon of Baram. Once in every two or three years, it should be held,” he said during an appreciation dinner for the organisers on Tuesday.
“This was my first time taking over as the organising chairman, but I observed everything ran smoothly and according to schedule.”
He said the post-mortem of the regatta highlighted several issues, which would be used as a guideline for future events.
Penguang thanked Barisan Nasional Baram Team members – Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
He reminded heads of government departments not to be involved in politics.
“If you want to join politics, you should decide to resign like what I have done. When I wanted to join politics, I resigned,” he said.
This year’s Baram Regatta was held on Aug 25-27.