SIMANGGANG: A total of RM50 million has been allocated to organise more events and festivals in the state next year.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan said that the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts previously received a budget of RM174 million for operational purposes, marketing programmes and tourism promotion.
“Of this amount, RM50 million has been allocated to organise more events and festivals in the state.
“The remaining funds will be distributed to the Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Arts Council, Sarawak Craft Council and Business Events Sarawak to finance their respective programmes,” he said.
Snowdan, who is also the Balai Ringin assemblyman, said this during the pre-launch of the Benak Festival 2024 at Taman Tebingan Batang Lupar here, today (Nov 29).
Speaking about the festival, which is now in its 21st edition, he described the Benak Festival, first introduced in 1999, as having matured over the years.
“Originally, it was supposed to be more than 21 editions, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors, this prestigious event had to be postponed several times.”
“However, I think the people of Sri Aman should be proud because there are not many places in the world that have the benak phenomenon like Simanggang,” he said.
He further stressed that the positive impact of the festival can be seen in the economic growth of the local community.
“Local people or visitors from outside the Sri Aman Division come here to display, introduce, and sell agricultural products, handicrafts, and various foods and drinks, which help improve the socioeconomic status and generate income.
“Typically, the annual Benak Festival attracts thousands, even tens of thousands of visitors, regardless of race, religion, culture, age or gender,” he added.
Bukit Begunan assemblyman Datuk Mong Dagang, Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor, and acting Resident of Sri Aman Division, Mahra Salleh, were also present at the event.
