Sarawak River Ga Danu Festival 2012 promises fun-fill activities

During the launching of the Sarawak River Ga Danu 2012 at the peeble field. Kampung Danu headman Encik Ahip Naii is seen six from the left while Jores (fifth from the left) and Ceasser (fourth from the left) and other members of JKK Kampung Danu.   

Beautiful garden with the 'baruk' shape building.

The inaugural Sarawak River Ga Danu Festival 2012 slated on October 27 and 28 at   Kampung Danu along Jalan Puncak Borneo, 55 km from here promised whole day fun fill activities suitable for whole family outing.

To be staged on the picturesque pebble field in the Sungai Sarawak Kiri at Kampung Danu, the festival will kick off with a live music entertainment on October 27, starting at 8 am to 12 pm.

The main activities will be held on October 28, which include sports events, live music entertainment, poco-poco dance, sale of food and beverages as well as sale of local products.

The event is organised and managed by Ma’asa Event Management in collaboration with the Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee (JKKK).

The Sarawak Kiri River at Kampung Danu.

Ma’asa Event Management general manager Ceasser Robert said entry to the festival site is free of charge and in fact the festival goers are most welcome to participate in the various sporting activities including the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 2012, boat race and swimming competitions.

Meanwhile the launching ceremony of the festival by Kampung Danu headman Ahip Naii  was held yesterday at the festival’s site and was also attended by one of the event sponsors JFAM Logistics Sdn Bhd managing director Jores Sidik, Ceasser and members of Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee.

The event is supported by Public Health Assistant Minister who is also Bengoh State Asemblyman Dr Jerip Susil.

“For those are not interested to participate in any of the event they can just relax and enjoy a vast array of activities and entertainments or bath in the river and for those coming along with their children they can picnic or camping on the pebble field at the site of the festival,” said Ceasser.

Ceasser said the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 2012 which is the main event at the festival will be held on October 28 along the Sungai Sarawak Kiri (locally known as Sungai Semadang) in Padawan.

He said the treasure hunt will start at Kampung Bengoh riverbank and end at Kampung Danu. The hunt would require participants to look for clues and answers while on the river, adding that the event is open to local and foreign participations.

He said each team will comprise of two persons and the participating teams can choose to use kayak, boat or raft in the competition.

"The participants are required to answers questions prepared by the organisers and to look for the hidden treasures along the way,” said Ceasser.

On the prizes, he said the champion team will receive RM1,000 cash and a trophy while the first runner up will pocket RM500 plus a trophy and the third winner to receive RM300 plus a trophy.

‘There will be three consolation prizes of RM100 and a trophy each,” he said.

The registration fee is RM50 plus RM16 for Personal Insurance policy.

Those interested to participate in the event are required to bring along their own kayak, boat or raft.

Ceasser said the organisers can assist the participants to source for the kayaks and boats but they must place their booking at least two weeks before the event.

“For those wanting to use rafts in the competition, they can make arrangement with the organisers or the local people near the event venue to book their raft,” said Ceasser.

On the boat race, Ceasser said it is limited to 10 small boats with two paddlers for each boat while the swimming and diving competition is open to the public.

The pebble field in Kampung Danu where the festival will be held.

Other activities are river cleanliness awareness campaign, health screening, blood donation campaign, sale of food and beverages, sale of products produced by the local farmers and gotong-royong by N.16 Bengoh Barisan Nasional (BN) youths led by SUPP Bengoh Youth Chief Wilson Mapus.

Those interested to participate in the treasure hunt can contact Ceasser at 016-5765174 or Robert Kenneth at 013-2036553 for further details or visit the festival website at www.sarawakriverfestival.co.cc.

Registration forms can also be collected at the Mambong Parliamentary Service Centre Office at Kota Padawan and JFAM Logistics Sdn Bhd office at Batu Kawah New Township and completed forms together with the registration fee are to be submitted to the above address not later than October 22.

Meanwhile Kampung Danu headman Ahip Naii in welcoming members of the public to festival said while at the village visitors can visit the village’s traditional culture house and bath in the river.

“Those interested to spend their night at the village can make arrangement with the homestay operators in the village,” said Ahip.

For homestay reservation, contact Robert Kenneth or visit Danu Village Stay website at www.danuvillagestay.co.cc.

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Sarawak River Tourism Treasure Hunt 2012 on Oct 28

The view of the pebble river bed where a stage will be constructed for
the live band performance and the other side events.

THE Sarawak River Tourism Treasure Hunt 2012, to be held for the first time this year on October 28 along the Sungai Sarawak Kiri
(locally known as Sungai Semadang) in Padawan, promissed a funfil event.
Organised by Ma’asa Event Management in collaboration with the Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee, the event would
require participants to look for clues and answers while on a river.
Ma’asa Event Management general manager Ceasser Robert said the event is open to local and foreign participations.
He said each team will comprise of two persons and the participating teams can choose to use either a kayak, boat or raft in the competition.
"The participants are required to answers questions prepared by the organisers and to look for the hidden treasures along the way,” said Ceasser.
He said the participants would be flagged off at Kampung Bengoh, Padawan and the finishing point would be the river bank at Kampung Danu.
On the prizes, he said the champion team will receive RM1,000 cash and a trophy while the first runner up will pocket RM500 plus a trophy and
the third winner to receive RM300 plus a trophy.
‘There will be three consolation prizes of RM100 and a trophy each,” he said.

The Sungai Sarawak Kiri where the treasure hunt event will be held.

The registration fee is RM50.
Those interested to participate in the event are required to bring along their own kayak, boat or raft.
Ceasser said the organisers can assist participants to source for the kayaks and boats but they must place their booking at least two weeks before the event.
“For those wanting to use rafts in the competition, they can make arrangement with the organisers or the local people near the event venue, to book their raft,” said Ceasser.
On a related matter, he said there will be a live band entertainment and poco-poco dance as side events at the pebble river bed in Kampung Danu during the event.
There will also be a boat race which is limited to 10 small boats with two paddlers for each boat, diving and swimming competition, river cleanliness awareness campaign, health screening, sale of food and beverages and sale of products made by the local farmers.
Those interested to participate in the event can contact Ceasser at 016-5765174 or Robert Kenneth at 013-2036553 for further details.
Registration forms can also be collected at the Mambong Parliamentary Service Centre Office at Kota Padawan and JFAM Logistics Sdn Bhd office at Batu Kawah New Township from Sept 10.

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Another RM59,000 cash and a scooter for Pandelela

BAU: National diving darling Pandelela Rinong Pamg received cash incentives of RM59,000 and a scooter during a dinner organised by the Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) at the Dewan Suarah Bau here on Saturday night.
Of the total amount, the Bung Bratak Heritage Association contributed RM25,000, Musyati Sdn Sdn gave RM20,000, former Tasik Biru State Assemblyman Lee Nyan Choi gave RM5,000 and RM9,000 were contributions from guests attending the dinner.
The amount also includes contribution of two million rupiah from a group of 20 Jagoi Babang clan led by the Kepala Desa (ketua kampung) Bapak Kasianus Anyiu who came all the way from West Kalimantan, Indonesia to attend the dinner to celebrate Pandelela’s achievement who won the bronze medal at the London Olympic Games recently.
The scooter worth more than RM6,000 was the present from Demak Marketing Sdn Bhd.
At the function Pandelela was also awarded the “Wirawati Bung Bratak” title from the Bung Bratak Heritage Asssociation.
Earlier on arrival at the Dewan Suarah Bau, Pandelela was given the Bidayuh traditional welcoming ceremony.
At the dinner Pandelela and the rest of the guests were entertained by four Bidayuh popular singers, AF7 finalist Claudia Geres, Bintang RTM runner-up Emil  Hamlyn, LG Star finalist Fiona John and Liza Chong.
The guests were also entertained by special appearance of seven former Kumang Gawai pageants and cultural dances performance by three cultural troupes from Bau and Serian.
The golden voices of Pendelela’s father, Pamg @ Paeng Joheng and Bung Bratak Heritage Association Datuk Peter Minos successfully raised RM9,000 from among the guests attending the dinner.
Pandelela who spoke at the function thanked all Malaysians who have given her the morale and financial support.
She said their support will further inspire her to perform better in upcoming tournaments including the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympic Games.
She attributed her success at the London 2012 Olympics to the fighting spirit of Bidayuh warriors Panglima Kulow and Panglima Mayo.
The bronze medalist from Kampung Jugan said: the fighting spirit of Bung Bratak warriors like Panglima Kulow and Panglima Mayo inspired her to give her best.
“I will always remember it, and I will work hard to do my best for the country, our state, and especially the Bidayuh community,” she added.
President of the Bung Bratak Heritage Assiociation Datuk Peter Minos said Pandelela is a great inspiration to the Bidayuhs and Malaysians.
“The happiness you gave us is indescribable and wish you will go and get the gold medal in the future,” said Minos.
Bapak Kasianus Anyiu said the Jagoi Babang in Kalimantan Barat also shared the joy and are proud of Pandelela’s achievement at the Olympic Games.
"We are proud of her because she is from the Jagoi community and the first Bidayuh to win medal at the Olympics,” he added.


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Pandelela bestowed State prestigious award

Malaysian diving queen Pandelela Rinong Pamg was bestowed Sarawak state prestigious award of Johan Bintang Sarawak (JBS) by head of the state Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng at a special ceremony held at the Astana in Kuching yesterday.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang later announced the state government incentive of RM60,000 and full scholarship to Pandelela to study in Australia, while RM15,000 each to two other Sarawak Olympians Traisy Vivian Tukiet and Bryan Nickson Lomas.

The Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) also gave RM30,000 to Pandelela and RM10,000 each to Bryan and Traisy.  

Pandelela, a Bidayuh lass from Kampung Jugan, Bau won a bronze medal in the 10m platform diving event at the London Olympic Games.

She is the first Malaysian woman to have won the medal in the Olympic Games and also the first in the diving event.

Traisy is also a Bidayuh from kampung Serumah, Bau and bryan is a Iban.

Pandelela, Traisy and Bryan arrival at the Kuching International Airport at 11.50 am yesterday was greeted by about 2,000 fans. They were later paraded around the Kuching city before proceeding to the Astana to receive her award.

Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik said it was a very special occasion for the community.

He said the state award and the incentives fitted her sacrifice and achievement and believed that more incentives would be given to her by the state and federal government if she continues to perform in the next Olympic Games.  

“All of us should be proud of her achievement because she has brought pride not only to the nation but also to the state and more important to the Bidayuh community,” said Pahon.
“For the Bidayuh community, we are very proud of her success because it happened that a  Bidayuh woman has became the first Malaysian woman to have ever won medal at the Olympic Games,” added Pahon.

Pahon described Pandelela a role for the youths, adding that her sacrifice and hard work should be emulated.

“She is a role model for our youths because she possesses high spirit and discipline. There is no short cut to success and she have struggled and sacrificed for ten years to achieve her goal,” said Pahon.

Meanwhile chairman of Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) Datuk Peter Minos who is Pandelela’s staunch supporter in his SMS said the Bidayuhs are very happy that the state government has awaded the ‘Johan Bintang Kenyalang’ to Pandelela.

“This is a fitting token of appreciation for what Pandelela has done to Sarawak for the meantime.

“Hopefully when Pandelela brings in more achievements in the coming years she will be appropriately awarded.

“It is very good that Sarawak honours its heroine just like what the federal government had done,” said Minos.

He said any Malaysian should be inspired and motivated when his or her contribution is noted and appreciated.

“Any management guru can tell us that everyone has that special need of appreciation.

“Maslow calls it a human being ’egoistic needs’, that top of needs. Maybe we pray that Pandelela brings in more honours to Malaysia and Sarawak.

”I am very confident she will, knowing her grit, self discipline and determination,” added Minos.

Minos said the Bidayuhs are very happy and proud of Pandelela as she has put the community at the pedestal.

”She makes the Bidayuhs more known and noted and hopefully more regarded. To us she is our true heroine, of the top order,” he said.

Pandelela has been rewarded with RM150,000 under the incentive scheme of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and a monthly pension of RM2,000.

She also received RM300,000 from the Government of Malaysia, a full scholarship to study in university.

The Star Publication has also promised RM100,000 incentive for her.


At the London Olympic Games Pandelela Rinong participated in two events and won the bronze medal in the 10m plafform.
She partnered Leong Mun Yee in the 10m platform synchronised but only managed the 7th position.
Among Pandelela’s achievements at the international level competitions are:
2012: Bronze medal in the 10m platform at the London Olympic Games
2012: Bronze medal in the 10m platform at the FINA World Series
2011: Silver medal at the World Series 10m plafform
2011: Silver medal in the 10m platform synchronised
2010: Silver medal in 10m platform at the Asian Sports
2010: Silver medal in 10m platform synchronised
2010 : Gold medal 10m platform at the Commonwealth Games
2010 : Silver medal in 10m plat form synchronised at the Commonwealth games
2009 : Bronze medal in the 10m platform at the World Tournament
2009 : Gold medal in the 10m platform at the SEA Games
2009 : Gold medal in 10m platform synchronised
2007 : Gold medal 10m platform synchronised at the SEA games.

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