Abdul Karim (fourth left) witnesses the presentation of a mock cheque for RM500,000 from Petronas Sarawak regional general manager Shamsur Taha (third left) to Kuching Resident Shukarmin Chasemon (fourth right). Also seen is Ik Pahon (third right).

KUCHING: Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah will grace the Nov 19 race of the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival 2017.

This was announced by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah after the cheque presentation from sponsors at the ministry’s office in Bangunan Baitulmakmur here yesterday.

The annual event will run from Nov 10 to 19 this year, highlighting its key events – the headline regatta (Nov 17-19) and International Dragon Boat Race (Nov 10-12).

There will also be other activities throughout the 10 days across the Kuching Waterfront including ‘Sarawak Kitchen’ for food lovers, handicraft bazaar, karaoke challenge, a drum competition, creative music contest, and also the ‘Waterfront Idol’ for aspiring singers.

The International Dragon Boat Race will gather teams from Sarawak, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur and Penang as well as contenders from Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong and Australia.
It offers total cash prizes of RM45,500.

This year will also introduce the ‘International Women 12-Crew’ and ‘International Masters 12-Crew’ events.

The traditional ‘eye-dotting’ ceremony on Nov 11 is expected to be performed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who will also flag off the Sarawak Regatta at 9am this Nov 18.

Overall champion of Sarawak Regatta 2017 will lift the ‘Piala Raja Sungai’ (River King Trophy) on Nov 19, which Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to attend.

The regatta, which is divided into 14 categories, offers total cash prizes of RM240,000.

This year’s Piala Raja Sungai holder will take home RM10,000.

This year’s sponsors for the event are Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Petra Energy Bhd, Cahaya Mata Sarawak Bhd, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Petronas, Samling Group and JX Nippon, SGOS Capital, Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd and Hock Peng Realty Sdn Bhd.

The event is also supported by the service centres of Opar, Asajaya, Samariang and Mambong state constituencies.