TATAU: The Tatau Regatta will be the highlight of the Tatau Festival 2023 which will take place from August 11-13.
The champion in the ‘Raja Sungai’ race of the Tatau Regatta will receive a cash prize of RM12,000.
The Tatau Regatta is one of 45 activities to be held over 16 days from July 29 to August 13.
Among the programmes are the Ngajat Iban competition, the mukun competition, the Kuntau Art competition, the Kenyah Community Cultural Night, Bagatan and Punan, cultural performances such as the traditional parade or Niti Daun, the Speed Boat Championship and the Tatau Mini Regatta.
There are also other sports events such as Unity Ride 2.0, futsal, pétanque, and archery.
The Tatau Festival is an annual event in the Sarawak tourism calendar and is organised by the Tatau District Office in collaboration with the Bintulu Development Board and supported by 30 associations, clubs and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Speaking at the launch of the Tatau Festival 2023, Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai described the response to this year’s Tatau Festival as very encouraging.
“Every night about 2,000 to 3,000 visitors come to witness the various activities,” he said.
He said last year in the same event, those who sold food and handicrafts managed to generate sales of RM1.5 million.
“We in Tatau are quite lacking in activity, therefore we organise the Tatau Festival including regatta and speedboat races even though it requires a lot of expense.
“With this event, it can also attract visitors from outside to our district,” said Sikie who is also Kakus assemblyman.
Meanwhile, Tatau District Officer Jabang Juntan said the first Tatau Regatta was held in 1989 when it was upgraded as a district. In 2010 it was known as Pesta Udang and in 2016 it was renamed Pesta Tatau.
“When the pandemic hit the country, we didn’t organise the Tatau Festival for several years and it came back last year.
“Like the Tatau Festival last year, this year we are organising it for two weeks. Our purpose is to organise this event not only for fun, but for us to involve the community in taking opportunities in economic activities,” said Jabang.
This year, a total of 175 stalls have been set up for local traders to sell their products.
“Based on our research, we expect revenue of RM3 million for this year’s two-week event,” said Jabang.
Among those present at the ceremony were Sikie’s wife Datin Melia Gelen, assistant general manager (Real Estate) Bintulu Development Board Prie Nyangan, Pengiran Dato Daud Pengiran Putera representing Jepak assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, Mona Octavia Sulai Albans Meling, Pemanca Gerosen Jubin and heads of government and private departments.
