Thursday, April 14, 2016

Full Sabah govt support for International Dragon Boat Race 2016


KOTA KINABALU: The State Government will fully support the third Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2016 despite the call for prudent spending, said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.

Masidi said the Malaysian Tourism and Culture Ministry has resorted to slashing its expenditure this year by substantially reducing various allocations. Likewise, the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry has also taken prudent measures on its resources, he said.

However, Masidi assured that the State Government would render its support to the dragon boat race, as organizing the event involved large manpower, funds and various resources.

“The dragon boat race is a major event for the local community. The dragon boat race is not only a Chinese traditional event, it has gained the attention and participation from local bumiputeras,” Masidi said, during a courtesy call by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) committee led by its president, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. T.C. Goh.

Also present were Sabah Tourism Board (STB) general manager Gordon Yapp, FCAS vice president cum organizing chairperson of the dragon boat race Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, and vice president Datuk Agnes Shim.

Goh briefed Masidi on the progress of organizing the dragon boat race and the event itinerary.

He thanked the government for its support, adding that the federation would do its level best to ensure the success of the event.

Meanwhile, Wong said FCAS has adopted the suggestion to hold the event in May in conjunction with the Harvest Festival celebrations in Sabah in order to showcase our colourful cultural activities to tourists.

The third Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2016 will be held at Likas Bay on May 21-22. More than 100 teams are expected to compete in the event.

.
.