‘Pesta Kapit can encourage locals to be entrepreneurs’
KAPIT: Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development ( KKLW) Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi has high hopes for this year’s ‘Pesta Kapit 2017’.
He said he would like to see that the carnival is not just for merrymaking but meaningful to encourage locals to become entrepreneurs as a way to generate income.
“The whole idea to have Kapit Fest is not just for people to come for merrymaking, but we want to make it more meaningful in terms of guiding and encouraging people to earn a living through entrepreneurship,” he said.
Nanta was speaking at the launching ceremony of the carnival over the weekend at the Old Airport here.
Organised by Kapit Resident Office and Kapit District Council, the carnival is held from Aug 11 to 20.
“KKLW is here to talk about entrepreneurship while the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism will educate the public to be wise consumers by being mindful of the quality and prices of the goods they buy,” Nanta said, adding that other ministries like the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports are also involved.
Product exhibition, Kapit iron men competition, fishing competition, Kapit Fest Beauty Pageant, ‘ Ngajat Beraban’, handicraft and weaving course, Kapit Idol competition, children’s colouring competition, Smart Consumers’ Interaction, Healthy Food Menu, Anugerah Carta Sapa Juara IV 2017 (ACSJ), power boat race, Air Tuak competition and stage shows are among the activities lined up for the carnival.
Giant tents have been put up to house stalls selling clothes, handicrafts and local food.
Nanta, who is Kapit MP, said part of the objective of the carnival is to highlight Kapit as an attractive tourist destination, given that it is well known for water sports, mini regatta and power boat race.
In addition, he said Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) would be holding a programme to scout for singing talents among the locals.
“This year, Kapit Fest is bigger. What is important and meaningful is that it involves the people, targeting groups of people and encouraging them to go into business,” he said, adding that gone are the days when a graduate could land a job easily.
At the function, Nanta handed over a government grant of RM30,000 to Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong, who is adviser of the carnival.
Earlier, organising chairman Galong Luang informed that 107 stalls selling food, clothes, handicrafts like ‘pua kumbu’ and beadworks, local fruits, jungle produce and other items had been set up.
Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat, political secretaries to the chief minister Nicholas Kudi Jantai, Tapah Ata and Michael Mujah, Kapit district officer Elvis Didit, Bukit Mabong district officer Douglas Pungga, Song district officer Jackline August and Walikota Philimon Nuing were among those present.
The whole idea to have Kapit Fest done in this manner involving various ministries this time of the year is not just for people to come for merrymaking but we want to make it more meaningful in terms of guiding and encouraging people to earn a living through entrepreneurship. Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW)