KUCHING: The Saribas International MTB Jamboree has reached a new milestone this year, with its seventh edition becoming the largest in the event’s history through a longer race route and record participation.
Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Dr Mohamad Razi Sitam said the latest edition featured the event’s longest course to date while attracting its highest number of participants.
“This is our biggest edition so far. We have the longest route and the highest number of participants since the event was introduced,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
The 40.5-kilometre course took riders through Debak town, villages, longhouses, oil palm plantations and newly upgraded roads, providing participants with a diverse mix of terrain and scenery.
A total of 197 riders from across Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia, took on the gruelling route in the seventh edition of the annual event.
Mohamad Razi, who is also Saribas assemblyman, said the continued growth of the jamboree reflects the increasing popularity of Debak as a destination, particularly on weekends when the town is bustling with visitors.
He noted that the weekend market and surrounding commercial areas have become so vibrant that available parking spaces are often filled, while traders have had to extend their businesses to road shoulders due to limited space.
“This is a positive sign that economic activities in Debak are growing. Events like the Saribas International MTB Jamboree contribute not only to sports development but also to sports tourism, which in turn benefits the local economy,” he said.
He added that the annual event has become an important platform to showcase Debak and the Saribas constituency while encouraging healthy lifestyles and attracting visitors from within and outside the country.
The 7th Saribas International MTB Jamboree 2026 was organised by the Saribas Service Centre in collaboration with the Betong Division Cycling Association (BDCA).
