By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING, Oct 22: Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has pledged his ministry’s unwavering support to make Padawan Raft Safari a prime tourism product in Sarawak.
He said Padawan area has all the ingredients to make the area a prime adventure destination for events like the Padawan Raft Safari.
In view of this, he urged Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), as the main organiser, to sit down and work out the best ways to further improve the event.
“For Padawan Raft Safari to become a prime adventure tourist activity in the State, my ministry will always be there to help, but at the same time, I want MPP to think of ways to really improve and elevate the event,” Abdul Karim said at the prizegiving ceremony for the 20th edition of Padawan Raft Safari 2023 at Kpg Emperoh Git today.
Abdul Karim stressed that it was vital for MPP to work with the private sector and local residents, which are among the key factors for the event to achieve a higher level.
He cited the Rainforest World Music Festival, which when it started 26 years ago only attracted 300 participants, but has grown tremendously since then with proper planning and networking.
The minister further said that Padawan is not only blessed with rivers and limestone formations, but is home to an authentic and beautiful Bidayuh longhouse—Kpg Anah Rais—and nearby hot springs which adds to the area’s appeal.
He then mooted the idea of gazetting the longhouse as a heritage area to further promote it.
On this year’s Padawan Raft Safari, Abdul Karim said the number of participants has swelled to 200 teams this year.
Participants came from as far as United States of America, Russia, Belarus, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia Singapore and Brunei.
Present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Transport (Aviation and Roads) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and MPP chairman Tan Kai. — DayakDaily
