Abd Karim pledges ministry’s support to ensure Sibujaya Water Fiesta can be held annually

SIBU (Sept 21): Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said his ministry will continue lending support to ensure the Sibujaya Water Fiesta will remain a yearly event.

Speaking to the press after officiating this year’s Sibujaya Water Fiesta at the Sibujaya Boulevard, he said he loved this festival as it brings both old and young together.

“I was made to understand that today, there are over 20,000 people from Sibu and outside Sibu who came to take part in the event.

“I think this benefits and strengthen the family institution in a way, as families can come out for family bonding. And for our entrepreneurs, it is good for their businesses,” he said.

According to Abdul Karim, the fiesta is interesting as it is the only one in Sarawak and is quite similar to the Songkran Water Festival in Thailand.

He added this was the third year he has attended the event and congratulated Amcorp Group and Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) on the programme’s success, and said he believed this year’s event was the best and more organised compared to previous years.

Also present was SRDC chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai.

The Sibujaya Water Fiesta today was held in conjunction with the Sibujaya Carnival, which started on Sept 13 and will end on Sept 29.