SRI AMAN – Nearly 500 people participated in Sarawak AeroBig Day 2026 at Simanggang Waterfront on 18 October, combining fitness activities with fundraising and community welfare initiatives.
The Sri Aman event was organised by the Sarawak Marginalised Community Welfare Assistance Association, known as Bantu Sarawak, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and the Sarawak State Youth and Sports Department (JBSN).
The programme aimed to encourage healthy living, community participation and volunteerism while raising support for people in need. It was held as part of activities marking National Sports Day 2026.
Among those attending were Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor and Sri Aman Divisional Resident Mahra Salleh, who attended as guest of honour on behalf of Sarawak Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, the Simanggang assemblyman.
In her address, Mahra called for more programmes that combine physical activity with charitable initiatives, noting their potential to bring together people from different backgrounds while encouraging healthier lifestyles.
She also highlighted the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in supporting government welfare efforts, particularly through their connections with local communities.
Mahra said NGOs could help identify community needs and extend assistance to people at the grassroots level. She added that cooperation between NGOs, government agencies and the private sector could improve the coordination and delivery of welfare support.
She further noted that the contribution of these organisations extended beyond providing material assistance to include raising social awareness, encouraging volunteerism and fostering a greater sense of responsibility towards others.
According to Mahra, welfare programmes required coordinated efforts from multiple parties to reach more people and reduce the risk of vulnerable members of the community being overlooked.
She also cited events such as Sarawak AeroBig Day as examples of how sports activities could be used to promote social responsibility.
The Sri Aman programme included fundraising for several welfare initiatives, among them Projek Noah’s Ark under the Bantu Sarawak movement.
One outcome of the fundraising effort was the provision of 15 medical beds for the local community. The beds were handed over to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sri Aman Chapter and the Che Chuan Khor Moral Uplifting Society of Sri Aman to support their capacity to provide medical assistance.
The donation provides additional equipment for the two recipient organisations as they carry out their respective community support activities.
However, details on the distribution of the beds between the organisations and the total funds raised were not provided.
The event also included 40 children from the Che Chuan Khor Moral Uplifting Society of Sri Aman through the Sponsor A Kid: Pay It Forward initiative.
The initiative provided the children with an opportunity to participate in community activities, forming part of the programme’s wider emphasis on inclusion and community engagement.
Its inclusion also reflected the event’s focus on combining recreational activities with opportunities for social participation.
Sarawak AeroBig Day 2026 has travelled to several divisions across the state, with previous stops in Miri, Bintulu and Sibu before the Sri Aman programme. The tour is scheduled to conclude in Kuching on 25 October.
The series forms part of activities held in conjunction with National Sports Day 2026, bringing together fitness participation and charitable efforts across Sarawak.
In Sri Aman, the participation of nearly 500 people, the involvement of local organisations and the handover of 15 medical beds highlighted the programme’s combined focus on physical activity and community welfare. â Sarawak Daily
