ONCE UPON A TIME IN SARAWAK: REGATTA

Sarawak Regatta 2008, a three days' started yesterday at Sarawak river. The Hon. Chief Minister of Sarawak officiating the start of the event. In his speech the Hon. Pehin Sri recalled the history of regatta which traced back during the 2nd white Rajah rule. This year’s regatta took the theme “ Race for peace.” Regatta was held long time ago in Sarawak by the Brooke a step taken by by Charles Brooke to prevent the fighting amongst the natives of Sarawak.

During the 60s when regatta was held in Kuching, a lot of boat anchored at Sarawak river especially in front of Astana and Cheko. Boats came mostly from the coastal villages from Samarahan areas and some as far as Saribas area. A very interesting view indeed. My relatives from Kampung Baru and kampong Serpan in Asajaya would stop at our house in Kampung Pulo HIlir and stayed with us for a night before the regatta to begin.

During one of the regattas in the 60s (probably 1967) I was selling ice cream. I went around the area near Borneo Company up to Cheko selling ice cream which was obtained from one of the ice cream company at Padungan. Selling ice cream was actually a very good and profitable business. Regatta is one way for people to make some money. I am happy to see a lot of people are making a small business activity during the regatta. It is a very healthy and positive thing to do.

In the seventies I missed the regatta. I do not remember watching the regatta during that time. Probably there's none being held or that I have lost interest during that period, I could not recall.

Back in the 21^st century, regatta came back alive and kicking. It is one of the major events held to attract the tourists to Sarawak. It is interesting to ponder why was the theme of the regatta this year “Race for Peace”?