Fix annual date for inclusion in tourism calendar, Pesta Tasik Biru organisers told
KUCHING: Pesta Tasik Biru or formerly known as Jong Festival can be incorporated into the state’s tourism calendar if organisers can decide on a fixed date to have it each year.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the festival just needs to be ‘ tidied up’ in terms of the day and month it is to be held, as opposed to random dates during the year.
“I had suggested to the organisers that they should have at least have a fixed date, month, and week when they organise Pesta Tasik Biru so that it can be programmed into the state tourism calendar.
“Right now we have fixed months for the Rainforest World Music Festival ( RWMF) in July, Borneo Cultural Festival in Sibu (July), Kuching Festival, and Kuching Marathon (August),” he said.
Abdul Karim was addressing a press conference after chairing a briefing on Pesta Tasik Biru 2018 by Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep at the minister’s office at Bangunan Baitulmakmur here, yesterday.
Other festivals which have also been incorporated into the tourism calendar include Kuching Jazz Festival, Borneo Jazz festival in Miri, What About Kuching or WAK in October, he said.
He said having festivals listed in the state tourism calendar makes easy reference for both domestic and foreign visitors to choose when to visit the state to attend a programme that interests them, as they would just need to consult the calendar on the Sarawak Tourism Board website.
Meanwhile, numerous programmes and activities have been arranged for Pesta Tasik Biru 2018 – to be held on Sept 2830 – including courses and talks, selling of agriculture products, handicrafts and souvenirs, video game competition, lucky draws, Zumba session, ethnic gong performance, street soccer, exhibitions, telematches, Jong Regatta, beauty pageant, auto show and cycling tour.
Among the dignitaries expected to attend the festival are Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Opar assemblyman Datuk Ranum Mina, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, and Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh.
The festival will be officiated by Abdul Karim on Sept 29, and closed by Ranum the following day.
It is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Sarawak Rivers Board, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority ( Fama) Sarawak, Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission, and Royal Malaysia Police among others.