Abang Johari (centre) dots the eyes of a dragon boat.
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival 2017 yesterday.
The 10-day festival features water activities, bazaar and food stalls.
Accompanied by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who is event organising chairman, Abang Johari dotted the eyes of a dragon boat at Kuching Waterfront wharf to open the two-day Dragon Boat Race, ending today.
He proceeded to launch the Sarawak Craft Festival near Main Bazaar which houses 100 crafts entrepreneurs from throughout Malaysia.
The festival features craftmaking demonstrations, exhibition of crafts from indigenous groups and cultural performances.
After touring the Sarawak Craft Festival, Abang Johari officiated at Sarawak Kitchen, a food festival where local delicacies are sold by vendors opposite the old Court House.
Abang Johari who was met after his tour of the festivals said they attracted participants from several countries, with the involvement of cultural performers from other places.
“Kuching Waterfront Festival is well organised and tonight (last night) we will officiate at another attraction which is the bridge connecting the State Legislative Building (DUN) – another attraction to this area,” he said.
The state saw a 12 per cent rise in number of tourists from last year and hopes more will be coming with the introduction of the Shenzen flights and return of commercial airlines plying routes in Sarawak.
Present at the event yesterday were State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur Development Datuk Naroden Majais and former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.
Abang Johari officiates at the opening of the craft festival.