SINIAWAN: The story of Siniawan as a town which was incredibly transformed into a tourist destination is almost like a lesson for every town to evaluate to achieve their potential in development and tourism.
Located about 35 km from Kuching, the once sleepy hollow has made waves in the last 15 years as the must-visit place for people coming to Kuching.
Its Siniawan Country Music Festival or SCMF organised every year in September has propelled it as the latest capital of country music.
It has gained traction attracting around 20,000 spectators and arguably has the potential to one day rival that of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), the internationally recognised music festival which is the benchmark for tourism success in Sarawak.
Every year thousands of music revelers descend upon the rustic town for a celebration of country music that resonates across the country with bands such as OnStrings, Hi Breed Country Road, Skinning Band, Mountin Wind, Sella, KLLC Band, Peter Engkassan, Mark Audrey and Raggy Singh and OS Pombos.
The SCMF of course has played a part in the elevation of a rural place and its successful night market which reshaped the social, economic contribution to the town and its people.
During the Country Music festival for four nights, revelers dressed in their cowboy attire dance on the street to the strain of such country classic songs like 9 to 5 or Jolene.
So what is so exciting about this event tucked away in a nondescript town? It has seen to its transformation from an abandoned town where all the youths had sought employment elsewhere for decades with travellers bypassing the area.
The main attraction is that it is a heritage town which resembles the Wild Wild West and its rich history gives the place of two rows old wooden shophouses the perfect settings to attract visitors.
Attracting around 20,000 people each year it has already successfully staged the event for the seventh year. And there is also the beer festival Oktoberfest which is held in October and the Pesta Siniawan.
The transformation started with the village head or Penghulu of the place who started the night market some 15 years ago and with the support of the government and the community both the place and events organised there have become a huge success.
The waterfront expansion project behind the shops are in the stages of completion even as the town braces for an influx of more visitors.
There is also a boat started by the Member of Parliament that ferries tourists across the river to the Malay kampungs which provide for the town’s extra attractions.
Siniawan’s prominence can be seen from the crowds coming to the town each evening rain or shine, numbering more than a hundred each night.
They come mostly to enjoy the the gastronomical delights. There are grilled fish, satay, bamboo chicken rice, char kway, kolo mee, laksa or have a beer at the bistro called Bikalan where native food is on the menu.
Even on ordinary nights when there is no special occasion musical bands play as the sun sets and the place undergoes a magical transformation.
Since the announcement of its unique attractions, a diverse mix of people mostly locals, some from West Malaysia, Singapore even an indigenous group from Taiwan have come to the place.
There is no other person better than shopowner Bong Khi Ting to tell the story of Siniawan and its recent transformation.
Bong who is a third generation settler said people come from different places.
Various news organisations had written stories about his shop especially the Chinese papers according to him.
“Are you visiting this place for the first time,” was Bong’s first question to me.
He welcomes the government’s effort to promote tourism and make Siniawan well known. “The tourism authorities are also planning to revive a river cruise from Kuching to Siniawan to retrace the route taken by
the people about a 100 years ago.
“The people are happy with the transformation and most of the young people now find employment here without going to Kuching like before as this place is an attractive place to visit.
“Come the 15th Day of the Chinese New Year you will find this place hosting the most activities, with parades, lion dances, musical shows etc,” said Bong.
