Regatta Lepa Semporna Listed in Sabah’s Tourism Calendar

Datuk Seri Christina Liew (3rd left) presenting the Tokoh Regatta Lepa Semporna 2025 to Datuk Dr Sa'adilah Abdillah. On her right is Semporna District Officer cum Organising Chairman Alexander Liew.

29 June 2025

SEMPORNA: The Regatta Lepa Semporna, an iconic traditional festival of the Bajau community and one of Sabah’s major annual tourist attractions, has officially been included in this year’s Sabah Tourism Calendar, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.

“What makes it even more special is that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Regatta Lepa Semporna, which clearly reflects the unwavering commitment of the Semporna community in preserving and honouring their cultural heritage.

“With its inclusion in the tourism calendar, we hope this event will reach new heights and attract even more visitors to experience its vibrant festivities,” he said during the closing ceremony of the Regatta Lepa Semporna held at Padang Bandaran here this evening.

The Chief Minister’s speech was delivered by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew.

“Through Regatta Lepa, we are able to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Bajau people and their maritime traditions to tourists from around the world,” she said.

The Chief Minister also noted that this year’s Regatta Lepa features a range of exciting activities including the traditional Lepa boat parade, the hoisting of the Sambulayang (decorative sails), the crowning of the Lepa Queen, and the awarding of the Regatta Lepa Personality of the Year.

He also congratulated the organisers on the success of the Igalthon event, which saw a continuous one-hour performance of the traditional Bajau dance Igal-Igal, involving dancers from various cultural groups and communities.

The event was officially recognised in the Malaysia Book of Records on 21 June as the longest continuous Igal-Igal dance performance.

“Upholding the rich cultural treasures and ethnic heritage of the state is one of the key elements that makes it a popular tourism product. Sabah is a state blessed with a diverse array of ethnicities and cultures.

“The people of Sabah consist of 35 ethnic groups, each with their own language, customs, and celebrations, yet they continue to live in harmony and mutual respect.

“This makes Sabah one of the preferred tourist destinations, both for domestic and international travellers,” he said.