KUCHING – Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has called on participants to prioritise safety during the Sarawak Gendang Festival 2026, Sarawak Regatta and Kuching Waterfront Festival, as preparations continue for the events scheduled for the end of October and early November.
The Governor and Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajah Fauziah Mohd Sanusi received a courtesy visit from the main organising committee for the Sarawak Regatta and Kuching Waterfront Festival 2026 at the Sarawak State Palace in Petra Jaya at 10am on 19 October.
The delegation was led by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also the minister in charge of the events.
During the meeting, he presented an official invitation for the Governor and Toh Puan to officiate the Sarawak Gendang Festival on the evening of 31 October and attend the Sarawak Regatta and Kuching Waterfront Festival postponement ceremony on 1 November.
The visit brought together representatives from the state government, cultural agencies, river authorities and event management bodies involved in the preparations for the programmes.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, who oversees creative industries and performing arts, and Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, who is responsible for tourism.
Kuching Division Resident Dayang Hajah Joanita Azizah Abang Haji Morshidi and Sarawak National Department of Culture and Arts director Noor Seela Noor Sulaiman also attended the meeting.
Other members of the delegation included Sarawak Rivers Authority Controller Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ding Tiew Wong, ministry deputy permanent secretary Julin Alen, Sarawak Public Communications Unit deputy director Joachim Paggang Jabong, representing the unit’s director, and State Protocol, Ceremonies and Event Management Unit representative director Kamaludin Haji Busrah.
During the meeting, the Governor and Toh Puan expressed their appreciation to the organising committee for the invitation and its efforts to prepare for the two major public events.
They also acknowledged the work involved in coordinating the programmes and attracting participation from within Sarawak, elsewhere in Malaysia and overseas.
The events form part of the state’s cultural and tourism calendar, bringing together public festivities and activities intended to showcase local traditions and the Kuching waterfront.
The Governor’s emphasis on safety comes as organisers prepare for activities associated with large public gatherings.
Effective coordination among event organisers, government agencies and relevant authorities is important in managing participants, visitors and event operations, particularly where programmes involve riverside venues and public spaces.
Participants are expected to remain mindful of safety arrangements and follow instructions issued by event personnel and the relevant authorities throughout the festivities.
Careful attention to operational guidance can help reduce avoidable risks and support the orderly conduct of public programmes.
The Sarawak Regatta and Kuching Waterfront Festival are among the events that draw attention to Kuching’s riverfront and cultural activities.
The involvement of tourism officials, cultural agencies and the Sarawak Rivers Authority in the organising delegation reflects the range of stakeholders associated with preparations for the events.
The scheduled ceremonies will also provide opportunities to highlight Sarawak’s cultural heritage, including traditional performances represented by the Sarawak Gendang Festival.
However, the successful delivery of the programmes will depend not only on public participation but also on coordination and a continued focus on the welfare of those attending.
The Governor’s message placed safety among the priorities for the upcoming events, alongside the organising committee’s efforts to ensure that the programmes proceed smoothly and welcome visitors from near and far. — Sarawak Daily
