Borneo-TropicalAdventure.com

KAPIT: Political secretary to the Chief Minister, Wilson Nyabong Ijang said the hosting of the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari had helped promote the local culture, especially the longhouse traditions, and Kapit to the outside world.

“We have the products such as the Iban traditions, the longhouse and nature that is rich and flora and fauna,” Wilson said when he officiated at the meet-the-people’s session held to coincide with the launching of the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari at its first flag-off point at Rumah Salang, Pulau Sibau, Mujong on Thursday evening.

He was representing Senior Minister and Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.

“The participation of outside teams will contribute to the local economy as they spend their money here,” he said, adding that this series of the competitions, which is held each year at different locations, is to provide an opportunity for the people in those areas to host and participate in the international competition.

“This year the hosting of the rafting competition falls on Easter celebration (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday) that is regarded as one of the most important celebrations in the Christian calendar. Despite such shortcomings, the programme has to go on,” he said, extending his apology on behalf of the organising committee to all Christians, and wishing them all a Happy Easter.

On politics, Wilson said the Hulu Rejang seat might see a new candidate, hinting that a private secretary to the Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, Wilson Ugak Kumbong as the potential candidate.

“With his vast experience as political secretary and involvement in politics, I have full confidence in Ugak. Give him the chance like we have done to the incumbent Hulu Rejang Member of Parliament, Datuk Billy Abit Joo,” he said.

At the function he congratulated Penghulu Salang Anak Batang on his appointment as Penghulu.

The competition this year saw the participation of some 39 teams with one team withdrawing at the very last minute to compete in the five categories namely Men’s Bamboo Open, Paddle Boat (new category to replace the tourist event), Men’s Bamboo Closed, Women’s Bamboo Open and Men’s Free Style event.

Of the 39 teams, 11 took part in the Men’s Open, 5 teams each for the Paddle Boat and Women’s Open, 7 teams in Men’s Free Style and 11 teams in the Men’s Bamboo Close category.

Among those present at the function were political secretaries to the Chief Minister, Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Dr Richard Will, Tengku Geruna and Daniel Jubang; Deputy Resident Mohd Ikhmal Abdullah; Walikota of Kapit District Council, Philimon Nuing; CEO of CMS, Datuk Richard Curtis; private secretary to Tan Sri James Jemut Masing, Wilson Ugak Kumbong; Pemanca Tan Kian Hoo; community leaders, councillors, several heads of government departments, team captains of the rafting competitors and some 500 longhouse folks and invited guests.

To coincide with the programme various activities were held namely free health screening, health talk by the Health and Medical department and awareness talk on fire fighting and prevention by the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).

KAPIT: The waterfront here was abuzz with a number of Tunnel boats testing their gears in preparation for the Tunnel boat race in conjunction with the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari 2012. The Tunnel boat race is scheduled to be held on April 8.

Several Tunnel boat racing teams were seen testing their boats and engines and this includes the Hattago, Orion, Santamonica and Lang Banda racing teams.

Tunnel boat races are very popular in Kapit and this year, numerous racing teams are set to compete in the various categories namely the 18hp Tunnel Boat, 30hp Tunnel Boat and 40hp Tunnel Boat race.

The recent formation of Kapit Powerboat Racing Club has also helped to promote the water sport in Kapit Division.

The club acts as the governing body to organise boat races not only in Kapit but also in Song and Belaga districts as well. The setting up of the club also served as an umbrella body to unite the various racing clubs while at the same time look after their welfare.

The most recent powerboat race was held in Song district last month.

KAPIT: This usually quiet town at the upper reaches of the mighty Rajang River is witnessing a hive of activities with the annual Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari in the offing.

To pull the crowd the tiny town is holding a host of activities like a Toyota car show; stalls for food and beverage, merchandised goods; ‘pua kumpua’ exhibition and competitions at Tun Jugah Foundation (Fort Sylvia), flower arrangement, cooking competitions, mini-traditional sports, ‘Bintang RTM’, ‘live concert’ and power boat race to attract local and outstation tourists from April 5 to 8.

The booth at the Town Square that stands out among the crowd is the Regiment 510, Camp Sri Rajang, Sibu Territorial Army — Askar Wataniah led by Major Ismanizan and his team of seven rangers.

“We’re here to promote ‘Askar Wataniah’ and register recruits into the army reserve as the nation’s second line of defence.

“It’s open to all male and female Malaysians aged between 18 and 40.

“I encourage healthy members of the public to visit our booth so that our personnel could explain to them the concept of the army reserve, the benefits of becoming a member.

“Those with technical and academic qualifications are welcome to join our ranks,” said Mejor Ismanizam.

This year, a total of 39 teams participated in the various categories of the rafting events along the Mujong River, Baleh River and Rajang River with Kapit jetty the final destination. A new event ‘kayaking’ was introduced to promote the water sport.

This is also the time assemblymen and ministers visit Kapit; notably the Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr James Masing, Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk James Dawos; Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Research) Datuk Mong Dagang; Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo and Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.

When contacted, Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot, who is the organising chairman of the event, felt that the event had among others achieved the spirit of teamwork and co-operation among the locals and the government departments.

“To organise the rafting event is to promote Kapit as the eco-tourism destination.

“This year there are only thirty-nine teams. It could have been more because many teams had registered at the last minute.

“But we had to turn them down because of shortage of funds. It cost around RM160,000 to organise the event and right now we’ve only collected slightly more than RM100,000.

“We need corporations in the private sector to participate in order to be more meaningful.

“In this light, tourism players should play a pivotal role in bringing in the tourists,” he said.

KAPIT: The prize money for the annual Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari has been raised to attract more participations.

When chairing the second meeting of the raft safari committee at the State Complex here on Tuesday morning, Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot disclosed that the total prize for the five categories of the raft competition had been raised to RM46,200.

He said the highest prize will be for the Men’s Bamboo Open category and the Paddle Boat category (introduced for the first time this year to replace the Tourist category), whereby winning teams will receive RM3,000, a championship trophy and the Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing Challenge Trophy and the proposed Temenggong Koh Challenge Trophy respectively.

First runner-up, he said, will receive RM2,500 and a trophy while the second runner-up will get RM1,500 and a trophy. Prizes for fourth, fifth and sixth places will be RM900, RM800 and RM700 respectively, while those in seventh to tenth placings will receive consolation prizes of RM500 each, he said.

As for the three other categories, namely Men’s Closed Bamboo, Women’s Bamboo and Men’s Free Style, winners in each category will bring home RM2,000 and a championship trophy while those in second and third places will receive RM1,500 and RM1,000 including a trophy respectively. Prizes for fourth, fifth and sixth places will be RM800, RM700 and RM600 respectively. Consolation prizes of RM300 will be given to teams finishing at seventh to tenth places.

The winner in the Men’s Closed Bamboo will also bring home the ‘Baleh Raft Safari Challenge Trophy’ while the winner in the Women’s Bamboo category will get the ‘Meligai Hotel Challenge Trophy’, whereas the winning team in Men’s Fee Style category will get to lift the ‘Datuk Billy Abit Joo Challenge Trophy’.

This year the organising committee has decided to omit the Best Decorated Raft category and include the Kayak 1Malaysia as one of the activities. Dahim, who is also the organising committee chairman, confirmed April 6-8 as the date for the safari.

“So far there is no change of the date. All systems must go by hook or by crook. The event needs to run as we do not want to disappoint those who had prepared early for the competition. As the date also coincides with Good Friday and Easter (a very special day for Christians), I hope that they can celebrate the significant day at the longhouses,” he said.

Dahim also suggested that the committee consider displaying a model of the raft and paddle boat at the compound of Fort Sylvia as a way to promote the event.

Other activities lined up for the event, he said, are ‘Bintang Kecil’ and ‘P Ramlee’ singing competitions, Hawker Fest, body building demonstration and Raft Safari Beauty contest.

The organising committee has fixed March 26 as the closing date for the submission of entry forms.

Up to date a total of fifteen teams have already registered with the organiser and many more are expected to do so.

Entry forms can be obtained from any Resident’s and district offices throughout the state, and visitors information centres in Kuching, Sibu and Miri or through their website www.kapitro.sarawak.gov.my.

This year is the 17th series of the international event since it was introduced in 1996. This time it will be held along Sungai Mujong, a tributary of the Baleh River with Rumah Salang at Pulau Sibau, Mujong as the first launching or flag-off point and Rumah Bangkong at Nanga Sebala, Mujong as the second leg or venue.

Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing is expected to officiate at the flag-off at the first station at Rumah Salang while Assistant Minister of Tourism (Local Events and Products) Datuk Gramong Juna is expected to officiate at the flag-off at the second station at Rumah Bangkong.

The prize giving ceremony for the race will be held at the finishing point at Kapit Wharf in the afternoon of April 7, which is expected to be officiated by Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit. Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi is expected to officiate at the side activities.

The annual event is jointly organised by Kapit Division Tourism Task Group, state Ministry of Tourism, Sarawak Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and Malaysian Tourism and Promotion Board in collaboration with the various government agencies here.

Last year, the competition was held at Rumah Ajai at Sungai Majau, a tributary of Mujong river in Baleh, as the venue for the first transit and flag-off point and Rumah Anding at Sungai Sepuna, Mujong, Baleh as the second transit point.

Also at the meeting were Deputy Resident (Social) Mohd Ikhmal Abdullah, administrative officer Joseph Ikan on behalf of Kapit district officer, Broadcasting manager of RTM Central Region Albert Menteri Tudin, representatives from Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, an officer from Sarawak Tourism Board, council secretary Henry Jalin Watt, heads of various government agencies, and village headmen of the host longhouses and their committee members.