KAPIT: Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi launched the Pesta Dabai Song on Friday night.
In his opening remarks, Nanta pointed out that Song had developed in terms of infrastructure and other amenities.
“To keep pace with the rapid growth of development, the people need to prepare themselves to further improve and upgrade their social economy. How can we do that? We need to indulge in whatever activity that can help to generate incomes for the household/family.
“For example, the ‘dabai’ fruit is one of the popular products from Song. There are dabai from other areas in the state but the quality is not as good as the quality of dabai fruits from Song.
“As we have observed in other divisions as Kuching, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu, the traders promote and market their dabai fruits by saying they are dabai Song,” he said.
Nanta added that Song and Kapit were also home to the exotic fish species as ‘ikan empurau’ and ‘ikan semah’ in addition to other quality fruits like durian, ‘isau’ and ‘langsat’.
He said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas had announced the setting up of a Collection, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) for Kapit that would enable the people to market their products and later process and package them.
Nanta lauded the Kapit District Council for organising the Pesta Dabai Song which could promote the dabai to the outside world.
He also advised the people to plant more quality dabai fruits for commercial purposes and added that the state government was committed to improving the social economic status of the rural population.
Present at the launch of the Pesta Dabai Song were Nanta’s wife Datin Angelina Celestine Ujang , Walikota of the council, Lating Minggang , a political secretary to the Chief Minister Sarawak, Tapah Ata, the council’s secretary Jabang Juntan, Deputy Walikota, Watson Awan, Deputy Resident, Galong Luang, heads of various government agencies, councillors and community leaders.
This was the second Pesta Dabai Song organised so far; the first Pesta Dabai Song was held from December 14-16 December in 2018.
Among the activities organised in conjunction with the Pesta Dabai Song on the first day and opening ceremony on March 6 were a children’s colouring contest, a dabai exhibition, a cultural presentation, a performance by Kelab Gagung Sarawak members and a public concert with presentations by a renowned Iban singing artiste Rickie Andrewson.
On the second day, the activities held included the best dabai competition, a cooking competition involving dabai recipes, guess the number of dabai fruits competition, a futsal competition, Katibas Bridge Run, a lucky draw, Song Strong Fit Challenge, community sports and a public concert with a presentation by another Iban recording artiste Maxwell Franklin Saran.
