Local big bikers and four-wheel-drive club members gather at KM4 Jalan Melekun to welcome the jamboree participants on Saturday.
KAPIT: Events such as the Sarawak 4X4 Jamboree can help put Kapit on the tourism map amongst adventurous travellers and nature lovers.
Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the division has so much to offer in terms of its rich cultural heritage coupled with rugged terrain, rivers and forests.
“Events like this Sarawak 4X4 Jamboree can help promote Kapit as a destination for culture, adventure and nature (CAN) tourism. Through this jamboree, Kapit can be better known to outsiders and participants can help promote Kapit as the preferred CAN destination,” he said during the jamboree’s closing ceremony at the Civic Centre here on Saturday.
Jamboree participants arriving in Kapit. They assembled at the Old Airport due to the narrow roads and lack of parking in the town.
Organised by Sarawak 4X4 Travel and Adventure Club (Sakta), the jamboree flagged off in Sibu on Sept 13 and covered Kanowit, Ngemah, Song before ending here. In total, 480 participants in 175 four-wheel-drive vehicles took part in the event, including those from Switzerland, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei.
For Iwan Sakri, a motor vehicle and spare parts dealer from Jakarta, he said the jamboree offered him the chance to visit Sarawak for the first time.
“Sarawak is a very nice place and with very hospitable people, especially in the longhouses,” said Iwan, who is a member of the Indonesia Off-Road Federation.
Nanta presents a memento to one of the event sponsors Vance Lee (right), witnessed by Abdul Taip.
He added he and five others from Jakarta spent about RM4,500 each for the trip, a sum he said was considerably cheaper than what it would cost to take part in a similar jamboree in Indonesia.
Sakta president Abdul Taip Sobeng, organising secretary Alister Tinggang, political secretaries to the chief minister Tapah Ata and Maurice Giri, and senior government department heads were among those present at the closing ceremony.
Members of Kelab Gagung Sarawak in full traditional attires to welcome the jamboree participants at Kapit Civic Centre for the closing ceremony.
Kapit police chief DSP Freddy Bian (second right) and his men prepare to take charge of the traffic flow to welcome the arrival of jamboree participants.
Jamboree participants gather at Kapit Civic Centre for the closing ceremony.
Song district officer Jacklyn August (sixth right) in a photo call with Abdul Taip (fifth right) and organising committee members.