KOTA KINABALU: The 9th Sabah International Dragon Boat Race organized by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) was on Sunday graced and officiated by Sabah Governor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, who was also the guest of honor for the event.Tun Juhar was accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Norlidah R.M. Jasni.
The Governor, accompanied by Tan Sri T.C Goh, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) and the FCAS, as well as other guests, lit the ‘Dragon Boat Sacred Flame’ on the ceremony stage at Likas Bay, here. He also signaled the start of the unique “Dragon Boat Festival Zongzi Tossing” activity.
This year, the said event was also listed as one of the key activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
Also in attendance were Chinese Consul General in Kota Kinabalu Huang Shifang, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Sabah Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Ellron Angin, Assistant Minister of Finance Tan Lee Fat, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun, Huazong Vice President Datuk Lam Kuang Yau, and FCAS Deputy President cum Organising Chairman of the event Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, among others.
This year’s event saw enthusiastic participation from 145 dragon boat teams from four countries, competing in 11 categories with a total prize pool of RM94,000.-pr/BNN
