KUCHING: Sungai Sarawak came alive with thousands of people thronging the Waterfront and boats of various sizes and shapes converging for the 138th edition of the Sarawak Regatta which was launched in with full extravaganza and colour yesterday.
ICONIC: The ‘perahu tambang’ in formation.
The ceremony started off with a jet-ski race followed by a longboat procession which included teams from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Open University Malaysia (OUM) and a village where all the participants dressed in traditional costumes.
The iconic ‘perahu tambang’ also took part, creating a semi-circle formation upon reaching the main stage.
However, a ‘Tugu Negara’ war memorial structure formed by a group of Malaysian commandos on two adjourning motor boats claimed the limelight, winning huge applause from the crowds along the waterfront and riverbanks.
The Chinese community was entrusted with the official Regatta Paddle this years.
Ethnic groups who already had their turns in previous years are the Malays, Ibans, Bidayuhs and Orang Ulu.