Amelia flanked by Michelle (left) and Evalanie during the ‘Ratu Kebaya’ contest.
THE annual Durin Community Festival (DCF) in Sibu should be included in the Sarawak tourism calendar because of its large following.
“This festival deserves to be listed because it can attract between 4,000 and 5,000 visitors, especially from the central region,” said Sibu municipal councillor Teo Boon Siew, who is the festival organising chairman.
He pointed out that this would also allow more funding to be injected into the event so that it could be held on a larger scale.
More than 20,000 people thronged Durin riverfront during the three-day festival.
The highlights of the festival were a remote control boat competition, high-powered speed boat race, mini regatta, sepak takraw, karaoke, dart challenge, duck catching, colouring competition, basketball and poco-poco line dance.
“This festival has been organised under the initiative of the people of Durin since 1998.
“The Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) has been a co-organiser until today,” Teo told reporters after the launch of the remote control boat competition at the Pekan Durin Bank near Sibu.
Penghulu Ting Tien Huat, a community leader launched the competition on behalf of Sarawak Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government II Michael Tiang.
Teo said a formal letter would be sent to SRDC requesting for the inclusion of the festival in the Sarawak tourism calendar.
Teo also said that the Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Ministry Sarawak had allocated RM70,000 for the festival this year.
However, the amount was still insufficient as high-powered speedboat races were costly, he added.
There were 38 stalls selling various items and games as well as 17 community stalls at the festival to encourage locals to partake in business activities.
One of the highlights of the DCF was the Ratu Kebaya contest, where a pretty Dayak maiden named Amelia Tina Naong won the hearts of the judges with her poise and elegance.
Naong walked away with RM1,500 and a crown, beating Michelle Cheryl Ann who was the first runner-up while the second runner-up was Evalanie Theodora Freddy.
Michelle and Evalanie received RM1,000 and RM500 respectively, in addition to a trophy and sash.
Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai presented the rewards to the winners.
Nine contestants from around Durin took part in the contest.
The evening was made merrier with performances by popular Iban singer Rickie Andrewson.
In his speech, Sempurai expressed hope that the Selangau Festival, Sibu Jaya Festival, Batang Rajang Symphony and DCF would be listed in the state’s tourism calendar next year.
“I want the councillors and staff to prepare preliminary paperwork to be submitted to the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministry Sarawak to obtain funding and for listing in the tourism calendar,” said Sempurai.
