Sabah govt backs two events by Chinese group

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has given its backing to two events organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the state was supportive of the 8th Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2023 and the 38th National Chinese Cultural Festival 2023.

Towards this end, Liew said her ministry would consider the organiser’s application for funding from the state government.

"We support events that strengthen the various cultures, including Chinese culture," she said in a statement here on Monday (March 27).

"These events also enable participants to help promote Sabah as a tourist destination through the activities and programmes carried out by the organisation," she added.

Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah president Tan Sri TC Goh led a 15-member delegation to pay a courtesy call on Liew and to brief the minister on its upcoming International Dragon Boat Race 2023 earlier on Monday.

"Since 2014, we (FCAS) have succeeded in holding the Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race with support from the state government," he said.

Goh also extended an invitation to Liew to attend several programmes in conjunction with the two major events at Likas Bay from June 16 to 18.

According to him, about 130 domestic and foreign teams were expected to participate in the 8th Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2023.

Meanwhile, FCAS deputy president Datuk Susan Wong, who was the organising chairman for both events, briefed Liew on the activities lined up for the 38th National Chinese Cultural Festival 2023.

She 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 following day (June17) followed by Tawau and Semporna legs.

Between July and August, she added, the run would be extended to the districts of 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 Sept 16 to coincide with the Malaysia Day celebrations," Wong said.

The organiser has set Sept 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 Oct 8 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here.