Christina Liew backs dragon boat race, cultural festival

Liew (6th left), flanked by Goh (on her right) and the Ministry's Deputy Permanent Secretary I, Mary Malangking, with the rest of the delegation.

28 March 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment has pledged its support for two major events that showcase Chinese culture and promote Sabah as a tourist destination.

Its Minister Datuk Christina Liew said her ministry would consider funding the 8th Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2023 and the 38th National Chinese Cultural Festival 2023, organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).

"We support events that strengthen the various cultures, including Chinese culture. These events also enable participants to help promote Sabah as a tourist destination, through the activities and programmes carried out by these organisations," she said.

She said this after meeting with FCAS President Tan Sri T.C. Goh and a 15-member delegation at her office on Monday.

Goh briefed Liew on the dragon boat race, which is expected to attract about 130 domestic and foreign teams at Likas Bay from June 16 to 18.

He also invited Liew to attend some programmes during the cultural festival, which will feature a torch run across various districts in Sabah between June and September.

FCAS Deputy President Datuk Susan Wong, who is the Organising Chairman for both events, said the Festival's Torch Run Opening Ceremony will be held on June 16 while the Likas Kota Kinabalu leg of the Run will take place the next day (June17), followed by Tawau and Semporna.

Between July and August, the Run will be extended to Papar, Beaufort, Tuaran, Tamparuli, Keningau, Tenom, Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Kudat.

"Hopefully, we will be able to hold the Run for Destination Kota Kinabalu on September 16 to coincide with the Malaysia Day celebration," Wong said.

The organisers have set September 26 for the final Run in Ranau, culminating in bringing the torch to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. The closing ceremony for the 38th National Chinese Cultural Festival 2023 will be on October 8 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).