Aaron (second right) presents a trophy to Johan Umpeng (left) who won the first place in the 2.2 horsepower powerboat race. Looking on are Tuai Rumah Benjamin Angki (second left) and Allan (right).
KANOWIT: Longhouse residents in Kanowit have been urged to take up homestay programmes in their respective areas.
In making this call, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said that they could follow Rumah Benjamin Angki in Rantau Kemiding here as the role model for the programme.
“It is so far the only longhouse in the district to operate homestay programme,” he said.
“I hope more longhouses in Kanowit will follow the footsteps of Rumah Benjamin Angki because there are many beautiful places in upriver areas here that have something to offer to outsiders.
“We can attract more tourists to Kanowit and promote longhouse culture through this programme,” he said when officiating at the opening of ‘Rumah Benjamin Angki Homestay Carnival’ here yesterday.
The annual event held from Aug 28 until 31 is organised by Rumah Benjamin Angki Homestay Cooperatives Berhad.
Aaron said Rumah Benjamin Angki had received recognition from the government as one of the tourism attractions in Kanowit.
He said the 64-door longhouse, which will turn 80 in Nov this year, still maintained traditional longhouse structure and that trait could draw visitors.
“Tourists are also attracted by daily activities of longhouse residents who still practise traditional farming and animal rearing,” he noted.
Aaron later suggested to the residents of Rumah Benjamin Angki to organise the event in a bigger scale next year and to extend their invitation to government departments and agencies to attract more spectators.
Earlier, Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong assured the longhouse residents of his support towards their homestay programme.
Among the activities held during the event were powerboat race, beauty contests and traditional games.
Also present were Tuai Rumah Benjamin Angki Kaboy, Kanowit Information Department head Donny Minggu Ling, Kanowit police chief DSP Daniel Benjamin, Penghulu Boniface Kalai and Penghulu Ijam Tuah.