By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 23: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) announced Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) 2024 set to take place from Aug 8 to 17.
Themed ‘Mystical Borneo’, this year’s festival promises to be a grand celebration of the region’s rich cultural heritage and community spirit.
According to a press release, the festival is organised by SMC under the leadership of its deputy chairman, Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley, and is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, as well as a number of sponsors.
The event will be held at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 1 and 2, starting at 7.40pm each evening.
A key highlight of the festival is the official mascot, the Clouded Leopard (Neofelis Diardi Borneensis), locally known as ‘Engkuli’ by the Dayak natives.
This initiative aims to raise awareness about the conservation of this endangered species, with limited edition soft toys available for purchase at the SMC BCF 2024 booth in the ACE Exhibition area.
Expected guests-of-honour include Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian for the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government I Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil for International Night, and Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts and Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for the closing ceremony.
Other notable guests include Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing for the Chinese Pavilion, Deputy Premier, Second Minister for Finance and New Economy, and Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas for the Dayak Pavilion, and Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development I Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee for the Malay/Melanau Pavilion.
Meanwhile, the Sumpit event will be graced by Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport, and Entrepreneur Development I Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu.
The festival’s tentative programme includes:
Aug 8: Business stalls open at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 1 and 2
Aug 9: BCF Parade, ACE Exhibition Opening Ceremony, and Opening Ceremony
Aug 10: Chinese Pavilion and Sumpit (Morning session)
Aug 11: Malay/Melanau Pavilion
Aug 12: Puppet Clown Story
Aug 13–14: Pertandingan Memperagakan Pakaian Tradisional Pelbagai Kaum
Aug 15: Dayak Pavilion
Aug 16: International Night
Aug 17: ACE Closing Ceremony and Closing Ceremony
BCF 2024 will feature a range of performances from China, Thailand, Indonesia, Kelantan, and local talents from Sarawak.
The Design Conference Sarawak (PDCS) will also participate, showcasing their work in the Tradex area.
Additionally, the Photography Association and Bonsai Flower Traders will set up stalls at the rooftop parking area in front of Wisma Sanyan.
Festival-goers can explore two main areas—Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 1, which will host cultural food, beverages, merchandise, and crafts, and Phase 2, which will offer modern food, beverages, and various trades.
The public is urged to maintain cleanliness throughout the festival area, with SMC’s Public Health and Enforcement section monitoring and issuing fines for non-compliance.
For safety purposes, Bujang Suntong Road will be closed on Aug 9, Aug 16, and Aug 17 during the opening ceremony, International Night, and closing ceremony.
Royal Malaysia Police (Traffic) Sibu and SMC Enforcement Traffic team will manage traffic, and the public is advised to avoid illegal parking to prevent obstructions and fines.
SMC further extended its gratitude to all involved in organising this event and anticipates a successful festival, hoping to attract more visitors than in previous years.
For further information or inquiries, please contact SMC at 084-333411 or visit https://smc.gov.my/web/subpage/webpage_view/776. — DayakDaily
