KOTA SAMARAHAN: The annual Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival (SFCF) 2026 is set to return on a grander scale from June 26 to July 5, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) and the 40th anniversary of Samarahan as a division.
MPKS Chairman, Abang Ismawi Abang Ali, announced that this year’s edition will move to a new venue at Halaman Samarahan, offering better facilities and a more comfortable experience for visitors.
“The festival will run daily from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am. We chose Halaman Samarahan this year because it offers ample parking and better amenities, including sufficient restroom facilities near the Kota Samarahan Civic Centre and the ferry terminal.
“This venue is being upgraded under the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) and is expected to become the permanent hub for major events in Samarahan, including the upcoming Jom Heboh in July,” he said during a press conference at the MPKS Public Library today (May 8).
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, is expected to officiate both the opening ceremony on June 27 and the closing ceremony on July 4.
Abang Ismawi highlighted that the festival aims to provide a captured market for local entrepreneurs, with approximately 50 stalls available.
“We have allocated 20 stalls for food, 15 for viral food and beverages, six for drinks, six for grilled items and five for corporate booths.
“Government agencies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) have also been invited to set up booths to promote their respective programmes and services,” he added.
A wide array of activities has been lined up to celebrate the dual anniversaries, including the ‘Ratu Kebaya’ and ‘Ratu Cilik Kebaya’ pageants, Battle of Buskers, Samarahan Idol and a ‘Kumang Gawai’ competition organised by the Sarawak Dayak Cultural Association (SDCA) Samarahan on July 3.
Sporting and community events will also feature prominently, including a Night Run on July 5 organised by Sarawak National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS) Muara Tuang, which targets 2,000 participants.
Other activities include e-sports mobile, archery, street soccer, silat dance, cooking competitions and an auto show.
The festival is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP), the Resident and District Offices of Asajaya and Samarahan, and SABERKAS Muara Tuang.
