Borneo International RC Powerboat tourney puts Sibu on tourism map

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Ling (centre) presents a memento to Wong as a gesture of appreciation after the opening ceremony while Hie Ping looks on.

SIBU: Participants coming from all over the world for the Borneo International RC Powerboat Tournament 2017 here will help put Sibu on the world tourism map.

Speaking at the opening of the event at Permai Lake Garden yesterday, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said, like other events and activities held in conjunction with Visit Sibu Year (VSY) 2017, this event would allow more people to get to know Sibu better.

He said Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) under the leadership of Datuk Tiong Thai King and guidance from Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee and SMC councillors were working hard to promote Sibu through VSY.

“As you know, Sibu is relatively unknown to tourists outside Sarawak and Malaysia.

“VSY is thus oganised to promote Sibu, and make Sibu known to the other parts of Malaysia and the world,” he said.

Apart from Borneo International RC Powerboat Tournament 2017, another significant event in the VSY is the Borneo Cultural Festival.

“With all these events and activities, we hope that people from outside Sibu and Malaysia can get to know Sibu better,” he said.

He thanked Sibu Remote Control Sports Club for their initiative to collaborate with SMC in organising the event.

He hoped that not only their effort could popularise the event, but bring a better relationship among people from different religions and countries.

“This will nurture friendship between cities, governments and people.”

Meanwhile, organiser Peter Ling from Sibu Remote Control Sports Club said 169 participants consisting of 614 boats from seven countries took part in the event. They were Malaysia, Dubai, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, and United States of America.

He hoped the participants could make the most of their time in Sibu with lots of memories and joy.

The 3-day event started yesterday and will end tomorrow (Sunday).

Co-organiser of the event Councillor Wong Hie Ping and chairman of Sibu Remote Control Sports Club, Andrew Ling were present at the event.