By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 24: The energy is electric and the stage is set for an epic celebration on the Sarawak River as Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today officiated the Sarawak Regatta and Kuching Waterfront Festival 2025, marking the start of one of the State’s most vibrant and internationally anticipated events.
The Premier performed the symbolic eye-dotting ceremony on the dragon boats before soft-launching the Borneo Craft Festival 2025 at Kuching Waterfront, where excitement buzzed among local and international participants.
“I was made to understand that this year’s event has received an overwhelming response, especially for the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2025, with 22 countries taking part, which is an increase from last year,” he said when interviewed at the ceremony today.
He revealed that next week’s Sarawak Regatta will be graced by the Sultan of Pahang and members of the Royal Family, who will witness the traditional races, while the Sultanah of Pahang is expected to visit the Craft Festival to view Sarawak’s famed keringkam crafts.
“Following my visit to Pahang previously with our Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, there will be a collaboration between Pahang and Sarawak in the development of craft,” Abang Johari added.
The Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2025 has already made history with a record-breaking 2,143 paddlers from 22 countries, the largest turnout in the event’s history.
The strong response underscores its growing global reputation and its positive economic impact on the local tourism and hospitality sectors.
Set as the first weekend highlight of the Sarawak Regatta–Kuching Waterfront Festival 2025, the 11th edition of the international regatta will take place from Oct 24 to 26.
Over 60 teams will compete across seven categories, including the International Premier Open 20’s, International Premier Mixed 12’s, International Masters Open 12’s (40 years and above), International Cancer Survivors Open, and the newly introduced ‘Battle of the Dragons’ (Dragon Tug) 6’s.
New participating nations this year include England, Ireland, Canada, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Macao, and Mongolia, joining returning teams from America, Spain, Japan, Iran, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Cyprus, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur). The regatta will offer a total prize purse of RM100,000 along with trophies and medals.
The festival will continue into the second weekend (Oct 31–Nov 2) with the iconic Sarawak Regatta races, culminating in the much-anticipated crowning of the Raja Sungai (King of the River) on Nov 2, to be witnessed by Sarawak Governor.
In conjunction with the waterfront festivities, the Borneo Craft Festival (FKB) Sarawak 2025, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) through Kraftangan Malaysia, will run from Oct 24 to Nov 2, from 10am to 10pm daily at the Kuching Waterfront.
Carrying the theme “This Is Malaysian Craft”, the festival features 111 craft entrepreneurs from Sarawak and Sabah, showcasing Malaysia’s rich artisanal heritage.
Visitors can explore a diverse range of handmade crafts and witness live demonstrations of traditional skills such as seraong matu (woven hat) making, serdang leaf weaving, ribu-ribu weaving, and the crafting of traditional attire.
Beyond its vibrant cultural showcase, the festival also provides a platform for craft entrepreneurs to promote, commercialise, and network with domestic buyers, including export companies, hotels, and retail chains in reinforcing Sarawak’s commitment to culture, creativity, and community empowerment.
With the Sarawak River once again at the heart of it all, the 2025 Sarawak Regatta–Kuching Waterfront Festival promises a celebration where tradition meets global excitement, a dazzling reflection of Sarawak’s spirit of unity, creativity, and pride.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Speaker of Sarawak Legislative Assembly Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and other distinguished guests. — DayakDaily
