By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 3: Following several tragic incidents including five deaths during training last year and a fatal boat capsize in Beladin recently, all participants of the Sarawak Regatta are now required to wear life jackets or risk being barred from competing.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the new ruling, enforced from this year onwards, is aimed at ensuring the safety of every paddler and preventing further loss of lives.
“In the past, water events like this were not required to wear life jackets. But this time, for the Sarawak Regatta, starting this year and God willing, in the years to come, the use of life jackets is mandatory.
“If they refuse, we will not allow them to race,” he told reporters during a press conference after attending the Sarawak Regatta Presentation of Sponsorship Mock Cheques Ceremony held at The Waterfront Hotel here today.
While life jackets have always been compulsory for the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Race, Abdul Karim said many regatta teams for the Sarawak Regatta had resisted the rule over the years.
“This time around, if they reject, we don’t allow them to race. And if there are swimmers who don’t wear life jackets, I believe the jury panel will cancel their races. We cannot afford to see and hear any casualties,” he stressed.
He reiterated that the decision was made after consultation with higher authorities and will be strictly enforced in all future regattas.
“We cannot afford this anymore. After hearing from the top leaders, we have decided—it must be mandatory,” he asserted.
The Sarawak Regatta, first held in 1872 during the Brooke era, has since grown into one of the State’s oldest and largest water sports festivals, drawing thousands of local and international participants and spectators to the Kuching Waterfront every year. – DayakDaily
