Talib (fourth left), Rodziah (third left), Aman (second right) and other organising committee members promoting the festival.
KUCHING: Participants from 25 countries will be literally flying kites at the annual Borneo International Kite Festival (BIKF 2018) from Sept 26 to 30 at the Bintulu Old Airport.
According to the organising chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip, the coming event has attracted participation from China, England, Japan, Vietnam, Italy, Sweden, Australia, Turkey, India, France, Switzerland, Taiwan, Singapore, Belgium, Canada, Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, Estonia, Colombia, Malaysia, Korea, Russia, Spain and Portugal.
Besides the international participants, 16 states and kite clubs — Johor Bolong Kite Team, Sarawak, Pulau Pinang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Perlis, Kedah, Team Impian Melaka, Kelab Pelayang Pasir Gudang, Windancer Kuala Lumpur, Johor Mersing Kite Team, De Junction Kite Melaka, Fly Smile KL and Key Force Team Perlis- are also participating in the festival.
“This (Borneo International Kite Festival) annual festival, which started in 2005 is getting more popular each year and for this year’s event, a total of 120 people are participating,” Talib, who is Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) told a press conference at his office yesterday to announce the event.
He pointed out that this year’s festival was included among the activities under the Ministry of Tourism’s calendar year together with other events like Rainforest World Music Festival, Jazz Festival and Pesta Kaul in Mukah.
Talib said that a trade expo would also be held in conjunction with the festival, which has so far attracted more than 100 stalls with more requests being received.
The expo, he said would become a platform for petty traders to earn more income, adding that traders from Kuching,Simunjan, Serian and Limbang have shown very keen interest to join.
There will also be night shows for traditional performances by non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to officiate at the festival on Sept 29 at 2.30pm.
Meanwhile, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) general manager Rodziah Morshidi said BDA was embarking on an anti-litter campaign and advised the people, including vistors to the festival not to throw rubbish indiscriminately.
Rodziah pointed out that the campaign was to keep Bintulu clean, adding that its enforcement team would be actively on the ground to ensure that the people would not throw rubbish indiscriminately.
She also said that BDA was upgrading the recreational facilities in Tanjung Batu and Tun Bina, and upgrading the facilities at the night market for small traders in Tanjung Kidurong and Tanjung Batu.
Present at the press conference was Bintulu Resident Jack Aman Luat.