SONG: Katibas assemblyman Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan said Song Fest is truly a community-friendly (Mesra Rakyat) programme that can unite the multi-racial people in the district.
BIG ATTRACTION: Thousands of people packed Song Waterfront to witness the regatta, one of the main events in Song Fest 2010.
He also said the programme goes a long way in fostering racial harmony and solidarity, in line with the concept of 1Malaysia as mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
“Since the beginning of the fest on October 19, we had successfully organised many sports and community-based activities including futsal, football, community sports (Sukan Rakyat), participated by people of all races in the district and this morning we witnessed Song Regatta that saw the participation of locals and those from outside Song like Kapit, Sibu and Kanowit, which is the highlight of the fest,” Blikau said at the launching of the regatta held at Song waterfront last Saturday morning.
He added that the water events warranted government agencies, the local community and logging companies to maintain the cleanliness of the river for recreation and sports, and as a means of transport and at the same time to safeguard and sustain aquatic life that provides a source of nutrition for the people.
Towards this end, he emphasised that community participation involving village folks, government agencies and logging companies was vital to ensure that the river was free from pollution.
Blikau commended the organising committee, the local community, participants from outside Song, government agencies and the private sector for the success of the fest and hoped that the fest, especially the regatta, could be organised more regularly in the future to encourage more locals to be involved in water sports.
He disclosed that some 79 participants took part in the regatta, which included races like 15hp longboat for Women, 15hp longboat for Men’s Closed, 30hp longboat for Men’s Closed, 18hp for Men’s Closed, 18hp Tunnel Boat, 30hp Tunnel Boat, 50hp Tunnel Boat and pump engine.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Kapit Deputy Resident (Development) Selamat Jati Yanjah, Song District Officer Galong Luang, who is also organising chairman of the festival, a former political secretary to the Chief Minister Robertson Mawa, a political secretary to the Chief Minister Tunku Geruna, Pemanca Badi Haji Nuawi, heads of various government departments and community leaders.
Some 4,000 people from all walks of life packed Song Riverfront Esplanade to witness the regatta.
In the evening the crowd was entertained to a community concert featuring local Iban recording artistes, Hery Lang and Ricky El.