Kapit hive of activities during festive seasons

KAPIT: The interior town of Kapit literally comes alive twice annually, during Gawai Dayak and weeks before the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

On these occasions, the town would be filled mostly with locals returning for family unions and also for the reopening of the new school term, where parents accompanied their children to school.

Businessmen love these occasions, with some firms reporting a 10 fold spike in their monthly revenue! It is very common to see furniture and electrical appliances stores, telecommunication outlets, textile shops, barber shops, and eateries jammed packed with patrons.

Since the middle of December last year till now, the hotel occupancy rate in Kapit hovered at more than 90 per cent. There are a total of 400 rooms here, and except for a handful of 2-star hotels, the rest are budget class.

When the school holidays started in the middle of November last year, the express boats also enjoyed brisk business. Kapit is, in a way, ‘an island’ because it is only accessible by express boats from Sibu, Belaga or Putai in Baleh.

A trip to Kapit from Sibu takes about three hours, passing through Kanowit, Nanga Dap, Nanga Ngemah and Song.

As for Belaga to Kapit, travelling time depends on the water level, but in general it’s about five hours journey.

From the interior Putai to Kapit, one can expect to remain in the express boats for three hours.

The food and drink vendors too are smiling all the way to the bank. They know that many longhouse folks, especially those who work in the timber industry, would normally take yearend leave and would think nothing of gulping down can after can of beer. To cater to this group of clients, the vendors would normally extend their operating hours. Wet market Gelanggang Terasang, along Jalan Penghulu Gerinang, is also the spot where a huge crowd of shoppers would convene.

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Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari to be an annual April affair

KAPIT: The Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari will be permanently held every April from next year.

Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said the event should be held consistently at the same time.

“We need to fix the date and the month for the international raft race to be held so as to attract more participation both locally and from outside,” he said when officiating at a dialogue at Rumah Ajai recently.

He pointed out that the change of date this year could be why the number of teams dropped from 41 last year to 27 this time round.

“Perhaps the decline in the number of participants could be due to the frequent changes of the date for the competition as they had prepared themselves for the competiti on that is expected to be held in April.

“The safari should have been carried out in April this year, however it was postponed to July to give way to the state election. Unfortunately, the date was again postponed to September,” he said adding that the raft safari aims to promote Kapit as a tourism destination for nature, adventure and culture.

During the event, Masing also announced a grant of RM5,000 for the Rumah Ajai women’s bureau.

Meanwhile, when officiating at the second transit point of the raft race at Rumah Anding, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo said the competition had helped foster closer ties among participants and longhouse communities.

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Huge potential for Pelagus Rapids as adventure tourism destination

KAPIT: Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit sees a great potential for Pelagus Rapids to be developed and promoted as an adventure tourism destination, especially for white water rafting.

“Pelagus Rapids is the icon of the Kapit tourism industry when properly developed. Since the impoundment of Bakun HEP, the river landscape has drastically changed. The numerous islands in the middle of the river and white water are excellent for river cruise. The strong current at the rapids is perfect for white water safari like kayaking,” he said.

This was his comment when approached by pressmen who followed him on a speed boat ride to the Pelagus Rapids on Sunday afternoon.

He was accompanied by Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot, his deputy Mohd Ikhmal Abdullah, Kapit District Officer Simon Japut Tiok, Song District Officer Galong Luang, heads of government departments and community leaders who travelled in a convoy of speed boats.

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Kapit comes alive with water-themed fiesta

KAPIT: Once again this sleepy town has come alive with the annual crowd-pullers – Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari, Power Boat Races, Kayak 1Malaysia races, and a mini-carnival.

The town has been beaming at its seams the past couple of days with people from nearby longhouses who were eager to witness the potpourri of colourful and exhilarating events which started last Thursday and ends today. Yesterday being a public holiday — official birthday of the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin, also gave the crowd size a shot in the arm.

The raft safari, which took place on the Baleh and Rajang Rivers, was a two-day spectacle over an arduous distance of 60km. It started on Friday with Rumah Ajai in Nanga Senuang, Sungai Majau as the starting point and Rumah Anding in Nanga Sepuna, Mujong, as the ‘transit’ point (a distance of 40km). Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr James Masing flagged off the race which ended at Rumah Anding for day one.

Yesterday, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo flagged off the second day of the raft safari at Rumah Anding, which is some 20km from the finishing point at Kapit Wharf.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk James Mamit will officiate at the power boat races today at the Kapit Waterfront, while the Kayak 1Malaysia event is left to Assistant Minister of Tourism and Heritage Datuk Mong Dagang.

The mini carnival, which was centred at the Town Square from last Thursday till today was officiated at by Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi. Among the highlights of the carnival were children singing competition for kids aged 12 years and below, karaoke contest, ‘live band’ presentation, safari beauty pageant, traditional sports, exhibition booths, ‘pua kumbu’ competitions, beadworks, handicrafts and sale of traditionally-baked cakes.

These annual event are jointly organised by Kapit Division Tourism Task Group , Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, Sarawak Tourism Board , Ministry of Tourism, and Malaysian Tourism and Promotion Board.

The raft safari, which was first held in 1996, has always been more than a mere test of endurance and navigational skills.

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Kapit needs more dynamic tourism products

KAPIT: Kapit needs more dynamic tourism products to attract more visitors to the town.

Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo said Kapit’s tourism industry is still in its infancy and tourists do not know where to go when they visit Kapit.

Promoting Kapit’s rich natural and cultural attractions alone, he said, did not suffice.

“Come up with tourism branded products like T-shirts, souvenirs, beadwork, handicrafts, places of attraction, etc. Small items for tourists to buy for remembrance.

“In places where tourism is well-developed and successfully run, there’s always tourism products as their trademark. Also the marketing must be strategic and packaging like websites, online information centre, availability of tour guides and services, places of interest, facilities,” he said during the soft launching of the four-day Kapit Mini Carnival yesterday.

It is being held in conjunction with the two-day Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari, which begins today.

“Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari is a very important event. It’s on the Kapit calendar to promote Kapit as a premier eco-tourism destination.

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26 teams to compete in Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari

KAPIT: A total of 26 teams will compete in the 16th annual Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari.

Organising chairman Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot said although fewer teams were competing this year, numbers would not be the only factor determining the event’s success.

“There are only 26 teams confirmed participating after the closing date, but in terms of the number of ministers visiting, VIPs and reporters attending the safari, it is a record high,” he said after the final organising committee meeting on Tuesday.

The Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari will be held tomorrow and Saturday (Sept 23-24).

The first flag off point is at Rumah Ajai, Nanga Senuang at Sungai Majau while the 24-door Rumah Anding at Nanga Sepuna, Mujong will be the transit point.

The distance from Rumah Ajai to Rumah Anding is about 40km while the journey from Rumah Anding to the finishing point at Kapit Wharf is about 20km.

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Kapit great for river tourism

KUCHING: Kapit Division has a huge potential to be developed as an eco-tourism area, said Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing.

He particularly referred to areas drawn up for this year’s Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari, like Sg. Majau, Sg. Mujong, Sg. Baleh and Batang Rajang, saying they could be turned into places of great interest for tourists as well as nature lovers to explore.

“Those areas have vast potential to be turned into an eco-tourism attraction. Once developed, the riverine areas are suitable for this kind of activities,” Masing told a press conference yesterday to announce the 16th edition of Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari scheduled from Sept 22 to 24. Masing pointed out that beginning with this year’s edition, the safari was expected to have a new name to reflect eco-tourism elements in its activities.

“We will think of the name for the event soon. At the moment, it will still be the same. The new name will reflect the new concept of the event,’ he said at his office at Masja Building yesterday.

Masing added that this year’s safari would see various activities.

“There will be four main events — that is rafting, canoeing (kayaking), mini carnival and powerboat race.”

He pointed out that kayaking, which will be named ‘Kayaking 1Malaysia’, although a newly-introduced event would be an interesting one.

Partly organised by the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation (KPSU), the new event is included in a bid to scout for young and talented paddlers from the area.

“As we know, our kayak team had a poor outing in the last Sukma games. This is the right time to search for new talents in the sport to represent our kayak team in Sukma,” he said.

He believed that the task to find capable paddlers would not be difficult as there were many undiscovered talents in the upper rivers.

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Bakun an eco-tourism goldmine

KAPIT: Bakun is not only a giant hydroelectric powerhouse but its lake, which is about the size of the Republic of Singapore, is also an eco-tourism goldmine.



Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said what the people in the surrounding areas, especially those in Sg Asap resettlement area, should do now was come together, form a body and work closely with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) to manage the lake.



He cautioned that the lake and the numerous islands in the catchment area would only remain a “potential” goldmine if the people do not tweak their mindset and be willing to work hard.



“Opportunity alone is not good enough if the people do not take the initiative to equip themselves with the mentality and willingness to tap the opportunity. The potential (for eco-tourism) is there and the opportunity is opened,” Masing pointed out.



“You know why you have to get yourselves organised and manage the lake? It is simply because if you don’t then people from outside will come in and take over,” Masing said during an interview in his residence here on Saturday.



Also present were political secretaries to the Chief Minister Wilson Nyabong Ijang and Angeline Umis Tujok, Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot and Walikota of Kapit District Council Philomon Nuing.



Masing had just returned from Bakun after witnessing the handing over of the ‘Taking-Over’ certificate of the first turbine between Sarawak Hydro Sdn Berhad (SHSB) and turbine owner ALSTOM Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd – a firm based in France.

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Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari postponed

KAPIT: The 16th Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari has been postponed from April to July 23-24 in anticipation of the upcoming state election.

Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot yesterday said the organising committee has drawn up several activities to attract a larger crowd including exhibition and promotion stalls, pua kumbu and handicraft competitions, health screening as well as powerboat race.

“As the race entered its 16th year of existence, it is high time that we think of how to upgrade and elevate the event from a local based to state or regional-level competition.

“Thus to ensure the success of the event, all government agencies and non-governmental organisations need to send a team to encourage more participation,” said Dahim.

He announced that Rh Ajai at Sg Majau, a tributary of Sg Mujong, Baleh will be the first transit and flag off point for this year’s race, while the second transit point will be Rh Anding, Sg Sepuna.

The journey to Rh Ajai from Kapit takes about seven hours, while the travel time from Rh Ajai to Rh Anding is about three hours.

Dahim added that this year’s route will be very challenging as it goes through various rapids, sharp and narrow bends as well as protruding rocks.

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Kapit, Sarawak offers plenty for tourists and adventure seekers

THE sunset in the mountainous Kapit Division with the Rajang River in the foreground, offers a breathtaking view at dusk.

Located inland of Sarawak, Kapit is a charming rural place that one should visit to appreciate the state’s unique geography and culture.

It is home mainly to the Ibans with a handful of Chinese, Malay, Melanau and Orang Ulu – thus visiting the division can be an enriching cultural experience as well.

Kapit is also synonymous with the most expensive freshwater fish in the state, Empurau, which cost more than RM500 per kilogramme! This is due to high demand for its delicious flesh.

The difficulty in catching this fish also contributes to its price as it is a slow-growing species and very particular about its habitat and breeding ground; preferring clear running water and where its favourite food, the Engkabang fruit, are available.

Kapit is the seventh of 11 administrative region in Sarawak and it is the biggest division spanning an area of about 40,000sqkm. It is has three districts namely Kapit, Song and Belaga, and two sub-districts Nanga Merit and Sungai Asap.

To reach Kapit, one has to travel to Sibu Division either by air, land or river and then board an express boat that is available from as early as 5.45am and ends at about 2pm. A trip cost between RM20 and RM30 depending on seating class – first, second or economy.

There are several express boat operators servicing the route almost hourly.

The 126km journey along the longest river in the country, Rajang River, takes nearly three hours. River transportation is the only mode of transport to Kapit for most people but plans are on the way to build a road from Kanowit in Sibu division to Song and to Kapit.

As one leaves the modern and bustling town of Sibu, the landscape along the riverbank also changes. One will pass by many longhouses as well as timber mills and log ponds, and the lush secondary forests and fruit trees.

In Kapit, life starts early.

In the town area, one can hear the shutters of shops being pushed up for business as early as 5am; while by 6am the earliest passenger express boat leaving for Sibu will honk intermittently and calling for passengers to board until it leaves the terminal at 6.40am.

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Marginal increase in visitors to Sibu

THE number of tourists to Sibu for the first eight months of this year saw a slight increase compared with the corresponding period last year.

A total of 1,126 tourists were recorded compared with 1,106 last year. For the whole of last year, there were 1,672 tourists.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Sibu branch executive Rudy Anoi said these visitors had visited his office before going to other places in the region and the number could be more because not all of them could have gone to his office.

“These visitors were mainly backpackers who came on their own to explore places such as Kapit and Belaga. Usually after getting vital tourist information from us, they would stay overnight in Sibu before making their way to their destination by express boats,” he said.

STB has ready information for tourists on express boat schedule, the do’s and don’ts while visitors are in the Upper Rajang, where to stay and where to eat.

The board also gives advice to visitors on the requirements to obtain a visitor pass to Belaga from the Kapit Resident’s Office. Visitors from peninsula Malaysia were the most at 583 people, followed by UK and Ireland at 63, and Australia, 58.

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