1Singai Tondong Festival to help Bidayuh entrepreneurs

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KUCHING: The 1Singai Tondong Festival will help with the development of Bidayuh entrepreneurs.

Naroden (fourth left) is seen during a photo call for the MoU signing. Henry is at second left, while Ministry of Tourism permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik — who is Dayak Bidayuh National Association president — is at fifth left. —Photo by Chimon Upon

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais said he believed the long-term objective of the event is in line with the government’s effort to identify Bumiputera companies to be champions of smaller or new enterprises.

“These champion companies have the potential to be listed and they can assist smaller companies that have potential to rise up too.

“In Sarawak, there are some companies identified and appointed as champion companies (high performing or Teras) by the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju). These companies should consider listing and they should also help to bring up smaller companies to a higher level,” he said before witnessing the 1Singai Tondong Festival Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing on Tuesday.

Main organiser Putra Sentosa Development Sdn Bhd signed the MoU to cooperate with Gem Events Sdn Bhd, Erwin Events Management Company, Blissful Ornament, First Choice Support Company and Jawai Enterprise for 10 years.

Naroden noted that although Putra Sentosa had yet to be appointed a champion company, it is taking the initiative to help smaller companies, especially Bidayuh businesses, to rise and develop Singai together.

“I hope other Bumiputera groups would consider doing the same,” he said.

Meanwhile, Putra Sentosa managing director Henry Harry Jinep said he hoped the 1Singai Tondong Festival would be included in the state’s calendar of events.

“This will be an annual event for the next 10 years. We hope it can be included in the tourism calendar of events. The reason why we sign this MoU for 10 years is that we want to make sure that the companies involved will be able to make long-term plans and improvements to their enterprising activities.

“The festival is part of Putra Sentosa’s marketing plan to bring business opportunities to the people in the area, especially the new township of 1Singai Tondong. Phase 1, which has 11 units of shoplots, is completed. We are planning another nine units. We also have a hotel planned for the area,” he said.

Henry said future plans include similar commercial developments in other Bidayuh areas such as Sematan, Lundu and Padawan.

The inaugural 1Singai Tondong Festival, themed ‘Creating Business Entity – A Humble Beginning’, will take place from tomorrow to Sunday.

Activities from 8am to midnight include stalls, lucky draws, a beauty pageant, cultural performances, live band performances, martial arts performances, big bikes show and karaoke.

Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong is expected to officiate at the event.