By Wilfred Pilo
SERIAN, May 5: The Sarawak government has allocated RM7 million to boost and assist the hosting of the Silabur Ultra Trail (Sutra) run event in the future and to promote tourism in Tebakang and Tebedu constituency as a whole.
Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada elaborated that RM3 million was allocated to build a road near the Silabur Cave, from where the event derives its name.
“We built the road around the cave to keep the area pristine and to keep the surrounding nature around the cave intact so that nature and adventure lovers can always visit Silabur Cave.”
Sinang said a portion of the remaining RM4 million allocation is to build chalets to provide lodging in the vicinity of Silabur Cave for visitors and participants coming for the ultra trail event in the future.
He lamented, however, that these chalets might not be enough for visitors to the cave, especially during the Sutra event.
“During the Sutra event participants could always stay in hotels in Serian and Kuching but I urge local villagers to build as many homestays if they would like to reap benefits form these participants and also visitors to the event,” he told reporters after officiating at the 2nd edition of Sutra at Kampung Batu Bedang, Jalan Mongkos Tebakang today.
He was representing Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Rahman Karim Hamzah.
Sinang hoped local villagers could participate in opening and operating homestays, to reap benefits not only from tourism but also from Sutra events in the future as there are only a few homestays at Tebakang, namely in Kampung Pichin and Kampung Mongkos.
“I urge community leaders to disseminate the information to their villagers on this opportunity, especially during the Sutra event in the future, as it is an annual event that is not just for lodging, but transportation and food.”
He also wanted the Sutra organisers in the future to set up tents to promote local village handicrafts, agricultural produce, and food to sell to visitors coming for and participating in the event.
Sinang revealed that the Sutra event is not confined to one village host but gives opportunities to other villages, in the area.
“Last year, the host was Kampung Lobang Batu, and this year, it is Kampung Batu Bedang. Next year, we leave it to the Resident Office and organiser to decide.
“I hope RM7 million will help to raise the family income because this is in line with the Sarawak Premier’s vision of Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which is to raise, the level of income in the whole of Tebedu.
“This annual Sutra event is good as it could create spin-off benefits which are the social economic benefits for the locals here,” he said.
Sutra 2024 saw 518 competitors from the United States of America, Europe, China, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Brunei, Indonesia, the Phillippines, Singapore, West Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak join the men and women’s categories of 10 kilometres, 30 kilometres,50 kilometres and 100 kilometers.
Also present were Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry And Performance Art officer Mona Octavia Sulai, Deputy Resident of Serian Abdul Khalid Manap, Tebedu District Officer Joseph Liaw, Batu Bedang Village Committee Chairman for the event Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud and Sutra 2024 Event Race Director George Tan. — DayakDaily
