MIRI, Feb 26: Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wants to see future editions of Pesta Bubuk Miri held on a larger scale.
During the launching of the festival today, Abdul Karim mooted the idea of combining two riverine attractions — Tanjung Batu 1 in Kuala Baram and Pangkalan Lutong — to make this a reality.
“Not far from Tanjung Batu 1, Kuala Baram, we can find another riverine attraction at Pangkalan Lutong. Miri City Council (MCC) had developed the riverine into a river esplanade.
“It has come to mind that these two areas were fishing villages in the past, and many village folks are still fishermen or carrying out related activities. Therefore, there is much to offer to attract the locals and visitors from abroad,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim recalled in the early 1990s, there was a unique activity at Pangkalan Lutong called the ‘Miri Raft Race’, which he will leave to the organisers to explore the possibility of bringing back to become an event comparable to Pesta Benak in Sri Aman.
Pesta Benak utilises the natural tidal bore phenomenon where the water rushes into Batang Lupar at different times of the day, producing waves which can achieve a speed strong enough for surfing activities.
Abdul Karim’s speech was read by his deputy Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew.
Pesta Bubuk Miri is organised by MCC showcasing various activities during bubuk season. Bubuk is a type of sea produce of small shrimps that can be found along the seafront in Miri in February and March.
Bubuk is usually turned into products like belacan (a paste made with fermented, dried shrimp) and cincalok (fermented shrimp). — DayakDaily
