LIMBANG – The iconic Babulang Festival and Buffalo Racing in Limbang could soon gain international prominence as one of Sarawak’s flagship cultural tourism events, with strong backing from state leadership.
Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, said in a speech read by Batu Danau Assemblyman (ADUN) Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang at the festival’s Cultural and Performance Night on Friday that the growing global appeal of cultural tourism presents a golden opportunity for Sarawak.
“With cooperation and commitment from all quarters, the Babulang Festival can become a major annual tourism attraction — both domestically and internationally,” he said.
He called for intensified promotion across social media platforms, official websites, and partnerships with digital tourism agencies to elevate the event’s global profile. The support of the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, as well as the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), is seen as crucial to making this dream a reality.
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah, who is also ADUN for Bukit Sari, highlighted the festival’s core identity — the buffalo — and stressed the need to develop the buffalo farming industry into a modern and sustainable economic asset, not just a cultural icon.
“This is not just a dream, but a vision we can achieve together,” he added, calling for collaboration between cultural stakeholders and technical agencies.
With strategic planning, cross-sectoral cooperation and strong institutional backing, the Babulang Festival is expected to rise as a world-class tourism experience, blending heritage, sport and rural economy into one vibrant celebration of Sarawak’s identity.
