SEMATAN – The Sematan Festival 2025 has emerged as more than just a celebration of entertainment; it stands as a vital platform for preserving local cultural heritage and boosting rural entrepreneurship, said Tanjong Datu State Assemblyman (ADUN) Azizul Annuar Adenan.
Officiating the festival’s opening ceremony on Friday evening, Azizul commended the festival’s role in offering local cultural practitioners and entrepreneurs a valuable opportunity to showcase their art and products to a wider audience.
“The Sematan Festival is not just an entertainment event, but an important platform in efforts to preserve and develop local cultural treasures. It also provides space for small and medium entrepreneurs to showcase their products to a wider market,” he said during his address.
He praised the event’s organisers, the Sematan Festival Main Committee, for executing a well-organised programme despite a short preparation window.
Azizul noted that the festival positively impacts the local community economically, socially, and culturally. He highlighted how the wide array of activities, including sports, concerts, and cultural performances, successfully attracted crowds and spotlighted Sematan and Lundu as emerging tourism destinations in Sarawak.
In line with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg’s aspiration to develop Lundu into a healing tourism hub, Azizul emphasised the area’s potential. With its pristine white sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and rich biodiversity, the region is well-positioned to draw health and eco-tourists alike.
He encouraged the local community to seize this momentum by promoting local products such as handicrafts and agricultural goods. Collaborative efforts, he said, will uplift the community’s standard of living while enhancing Sarawak’s identity on the global tourism stage.
