KUCHING: The facilities at Kampung Siriik and Kampung Baroh jetties are proposed to undergo significant upgrades to strengthen support for the Siriik Regatta and drive tourism and economic development in the surrounding communities.
Datuk Fazruddin Abdul Rahman, Chief Political Secretary to the Prime Minister and Legislative Councillor for Dupont, emphasised that improving infrastructure like jetties will not only enhance the efficiency of the annual Siriik Regatta but also open doors to new local business opportunities.
“We hope the government will consider upgrading these jetties to better accommodate the event’s growing scale, improve training conditions, and attract international tourists to Kampung Siriik and Kampung Baroh,” he said during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Siriik Regatta on Sunday.
Fazruddin noted that regatta participants typically begin training a week in advance, requiring reliable and well-equipped facilities to support both competitors and organisers.
He also highlighted Kampung Baroh’s rise as a fishing tourism hotspot, especially among visitors from Singapore, who frequently visit on weekends for angling experiences and have their catches sent home via postal service.
As chairman of the Siriik Regatta 2025 organising committee, Fazruddin stressed the importance of leveraging the regatta to spur local economic activities and expand tourism-based income streams for residents, including offering services like boat rentals, lodging, and catering.
The closing ceremony of the 15th Siriik Regatta, which spanned three days from Friday to Sunday, was officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Abang Johari Tun Openg. He, along with other dignitaries, also witnessed the Sarawak International River King – Sarawak Premier’s Cup Open held at the Kampung Siriik Jetty.
The regatta was jointly organised by the JKKK Kampung Siriik, Youth and Women’s Wings of PBB Dupont Division, and the Petra Jaya Service Centre, attracting significant participation and attention from across the region.
Notable guests in attendance included Sarawak Water and Irrigation Department Director Datuk Ahmad Danny, Sarawak Public Relations Unit Director Awang Putra Yusri, Deputy Mayor of Kuching South Datuk Zaidi Suhairi, Governor of Kuching Dayang Joneda, and Padawan Municipal Council Chairman Chen Kai, among others.
Photo Credit: UKAS