SERIAN: Tebakang, a small township here may well become a new tourism hotspot, much like Siniawan in Bau.
It has been billed as having the potential to host cultural events and festivals, apart from stalls and shops set up for nightly business.
Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem pointed out that he wants to see the town which was on the verge of being abandoned to be on par with the Siniawan Night Market.
“I want to add colour back to this community. Take Siniawan as an example. Why can’t we do something similar if they can do it every weekend?
“So I challenge the Serian District Council to do something. We can perform cultural shows, sales and so on.
“I believe that we can do it together,” he said when officiating at the Ratu Bilanting beauty contest, before heading for the annual Serian Rafting Challenge yesterday (Jul 23).
The Serian Rafting Challenge festival was a great success with 564 participating in the race, marking a new record for the challenge throughout its ten-year history.
The festival was held at the Tebakang township where there is a row of wooden shophouses which operate only during the daytime.
Riot who is also the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to East Asia applauded the hosting of the festival at the Tebakang River saying it also provided new opportunities to local residents.
“The two-day festival has indirectly boosted the economic activities of the people. Local homestays were all fully booked, stalls were set up and thousands of people came to support the festival.
“After a long period of time, especially the two year lapse due to Covid-19, this small town has been enlivened by the presence of the members of the public who came to visit this festival.
“We have to keep it up for the next festival,” he added.
The festival’s finale that evening featured the winners of Ratu Bilanting.
The Ratu Bilanting crowned Joy Angela as the winner of the pageant held in conjunction with the 10th Serian Rafting Challenge. She won RM1,500, a trophy, crown and certificate.
The first runner up and second runner up spots went to Auxilia Rose and Agnes Sipin respectively.
The finalists were judged by five professional judges including Miss World Malaysia 2018 Larissa Ping Liew and Miss World Malaysia 2014 Dewi Liana Seriestha.
Venissa Eva who proved her mettle in the Bidayuh traditional dance won the Miss Talent award.
Meanwhile, the Miss Popular and Miss Photogenic titles went to Auxilia and Zara Annette respectively.
