SARIKEI: The 2022 Pineapple Festival Fishing Safari has attracted the participation of more than 300 anglers who are divided into two categories, the river bank category and the river category.

According to Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) in a news report, the competition was officiated at by Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh at Terminal 2, Sarikei recently.

Len in his speech said that the safari was one of the programmes held in conjunction with the Pineapple Festival to foster the spirit of unity among the community.

“I am so impressed with the cooperation between various agencies in combining the resources of energy and minds in running this programme successfully.

“Such activities can promote Sarikei Division as an Agro Tourism destination rich in agricultural products, synonymous with the government’s aspirations as the ‘Food Basket of Sarawak’.

“Programmes like this are also believed to be able to foster an attitude of care for the environment and making activities such as fishing as a beneficial hobby,” he said.

He added that the successful organisation of the programme shows that the attitude of cooperation is important in the success of an organised programme

Interestingly, the competition highlights the richness of natural resources in Sarikei where various types of fish can be found around the Nyelong River and Nyelong River Banks.

Datuk Len also thanked the Land and Survey Department and the agencies involved in making the programme a success.

At the end of the competition, Awangku Saifuddin Awang Gauze emerged as the winner for the river fishing category while the riverbank fishing category was won by Hussien Ayub.