SRI AMAN – The Sri Aman Benak Festival is set to return for its 22nd edition from September 19 to 21, 2025, with organizers anticipating a record number of attendees.
The festival, which showcases the unique tidal bore phenomenon of the Batang Lupar River, will introduce new programs and several strategic enhancements to improve the visitor experience.
According to Sarawak Deputy Skills Development Minister and Simanggang assemblyman Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, the event will feature a diverse lineup of activities.
These include the Benak Batang Lupar Regatta, a road trail run, the Miss Benak Tourism pageant, a unity stage, a Bumiputera traders exhibition, and community entertainment provided by the Malaysian Armed Forces. Hollis emphasized the festival’s role as a key symbol of local identity and pride.
Mahra Salleh, Sri Aman Resident and Chairman of the festival’s general committee, outlined planned improvements.
These involve reorganizing vendor shops into clusters, increasing the number of portable toilets, implementing a more systematic cleaning schedule, and boosting participation from local traders and small-to-medium enterprises.
Additionally, a dedicated festival website and mobile application will be launched to provide easier public access to information.
The regatta remains the central attraction, aimed at promoting the Batang Lupar River as a premier tourism product.
The soft launch on September 19 will be officiated by Lingga assemblyman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor, with the premier of Sarawak expected to formally open the event on September 20.
The closing ceremony on September 21 will be attended by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak. Under the theme ‘Explore the Uniqueness and Challenges of the Benak Phenomenon’, the festival is positioned to elevate Sri Aman’s profile as an international destination and generate significant economic benefits for the community.
