Decorated boats parade enlivens Sarawak's 60th independence anniversary celebration

KUCHING - After a decade of the parade of decorated boats not being held in the state, the Sarawak River was once again enlivened with colourful neon lights last night, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Sarawak's independence.

Held along the Sarawak River including the Kuching Waterfont, Pengkalan Sapi, Kampung Boyan jetty and waterfront, a total of 20 decorated boats competed in the parade, from various ministries, agencies and private companies.

For the first time witnessing the beauty of the row of boats from the Kuching Waterfront, visitor Junaidah Mohd Nor, 54, who hails from Selangor, took the opportunity to celebrate the night's event with her husband and children.

"I've been living and working in Sarawak for six years, so I didn't want to miss the opportunity for this event that hasn't been held in 10 years," she said.

The celebration themed 'Sarawak Maju Makmur 2030' attracted about 10,000 visitors who flooded the area along the Kuching Waterfront to capture the beautiful moments of the parade against the backdrop of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building.

Meantime, a visitor from Pontianak, Indonesia, Benozi Tamrin, 25, did not expect his four-day vacation with 13 family members to this city would be more meaningful as they had the chance to watch the glorious parade.

"We as a family were informed by immigration that there was a big event in Kuching at night when we were about to come here this (yesterday) afternoon so we were really excited because the atmosphere is different from that in Pontianak," he said.

The event started at 8.15pm with the arrival of Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg and his wife, Puan Sri Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang.

Leading the parade were eight jetski riders and boats from the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), followed by 25 fare sampans which are traditional water transport known at the river and the 20 decorated boats.

Among the Sarawak ministries that participated to win the title of best decorated boat included the Sarawak Premier's Department, the Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and the Ministry of Infrastructure.

The float owned by Samling Timber Malaysia was crowned champion and took the winner's prize of RM10,000. - BERNAMA