MUKAH: The official closing ceremony for this year’s Kaul Festival held at Kala Dana Beach, the venue of the event yesterday, managed to draw more than 2,500 revellers including locals, children and visitors.
The closing ceremony was officiated by the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. He was accompanied by chairman of the Kaul Festival 2019 organising committee Tan Sri Datuk Dr Muhammad Leo Toyad who is also president of Sarawak Melanau Association and president of Sarawak Melanau Welfare Fund Datuk Aidan Wing.
This year’s Kaul Festival was held from April 20 to April 28.
The highlight of the Kaul Festival was the delivery of the “Serahang Kakan” which was paraded from Kpg Tellian by boat on the Tellian River up to Kala Dana Beach about one kilometre away.
During the closing ceremony yesterday, Taib also presented prizes to winners of the community stalls set up during the festival period.
The first prize was won by the Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Tutus Hilir which brought home RM1,200, a trophy and a certificate. In second place was JKKK Penakub Ulu which won RM900, a trophy and a certificate while in third place was JKKK Tellian Tengah which received RM700, a trophy and a certificate.
During the festival, many activities were held including traditional dance performances and singing.
A fashion show by local fashion designers such as Lyona Stephen of My Mukah Studio, Abdul Latip Militi of Latip Collection, Musa Ahmad of Musa Design and Batik Linut promoter Diana Rose was also held.
After the closing ceremony, Taib visited the community stalls at the venue.
Among those present were president of Mukah Melanau Association Abdul Yakub Arbi, Mukah district officer Shafrie Saili, secretary of Sarawak Melanau Assoication Jennifer Sukor @ John, administrative officer at Mukah Resident’s Office Nolin Gendnag, local community leaders and members of the Sarawak Melanau Association.
