Quest to be ‘King of Sarawak River’

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Abang Johari (centre) officiating at Regatta Samarahan 2015 accompanied by (from left) Rahman, Karim, Mohammad Ali and Rubiah.

Abang Johari (centre) officiating at Regatta Samarahan 2015 accompanied by (from left) Rahman, Karim, Mohammad Ali and Rubiah.

ASAJAYA: The ‘Raja Sungai’ of every division in the state will vie to be ‘Raja Sungai Sarawak’ in Regatta Sarawak 2016.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed that the event will be held in November next year.

“Starting next year, we will hold a regatta in every division to choose the divisional representatives before they compete at the state-level.

“We changed the regatta month to November to allow time to do this. We will also be bringing in participants from neighbouring Brunei and West Kalimantan,” he said when officiating at Regatta Samarahan 2015 at Sungai Tambirat Waterfront yesterday.

Abang Johari, who is also Housing minister, pointed out that the divisional-level event would ensure unity of Sarawakians at various places in the state.

“Sarawak is a state well-known for its spirit of unity among people of various races and religions. This is something we must preserve and maintain. Tourists come to Sarawak not only for the natural beauty of our environment but to witness the unity and harmony of our people,” he said.

Abang Johari revealed that the total visitor count to the state as of September this year was 3.4 million with tourists spending a total of RM7.8 billion.

He called on people in Samarahan to seek opportunities in the tourism sector through agriculture-based places of interest.

“Samarahan is famous for its agriculture which could draw tourists,” he said. Also present were Housing Assistant Minister and Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Muara Tuang assemblyman Dato Seri Mohammad Ali Mahmud, Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang and Samarahan Resident Abdul Rahman Sebli Senusi.