SIBU: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun will declare open the Selangau Festival on 12 May.
Chairman of Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC), Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said the closing ceremony would be officiated by Assistant Minister for Native Laws and Customs, Datuk John Sikie Tayai and Tamin State Assemblyman, Christopher Gira on 14 May.
Sempurai added that the Trading and Trade Fair would take place from 28 April until 14 May.
“This time around, Selangau Festival will be still featuring the rafting challenge as the main signature event together with two new water events, namely, kayaking and remote control power boat race,” he told a press conference after the SRDC full council meeting held at the SRDC office here on Friday.
According to Sempurai, the council this time will emphasis more on creating business and economic opportunities for the local people.
“As part of the calendar events for the Visit Sibu Year (VSY) 2017, I have high hopes that the Selangau Festival 2017 will be more successful and grander this year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Councillor Ho Kok Munting @ Munting Eja explained that the rafting challenge would be divided into four categories, namely, men’s open, ladies’ open, non-governmental organisation/government agencies/associations open and Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) of longhouses in Selangau.
He said the rafting challenge offered RM1,000 prize for the winner, RM800 for the first runner-up and RM600 for the second runner-up.
Meanwhile, seven consolation winners will receive RM200 each.
“We will introduce two new water events, namely, kayaking and remote control power boat, a beauty pageant, a karaoke competition, an Iban traditional musical competition (betaboh), a traditional costume competition involving various races, namely, Ibans, Malay, Chinese, Bidayuhs and Orang Ulus,” added Ho.
For the beauty pageant, he said the winner would take home RM500, first runner-up RM400 and second runner-up RM300,
Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth place winners will receive RM200 and RM100 respectively.
Ho added that five consolation winners would go home with RM100 each.
Meanwhile, the winner for the karaoke competition will receive RM400 while the first runner-up will go home with RM300 and second runner-up RM200.
Seven consolation winners will receive RM50 each.
For the Iban traditional musical competition (betaboh), the winner will take home RM500, second place winner RM400 and third place winner RM300. Seven consolation winners will receive RM100 each.
Apart from that, various other events to be held in conjunction with the Selangau Festival include a poco-poco dance competition, street soccer, a ketupat weaving competition, traditional cookies competition, a tug of war, blowpipe competitions (professional and novice), Iban pantun competition, a dart competition and a duck catching competition.
