SIMUNJAN: The Batang Sadong Arts and Heritage Festival 2025 showcased the district’s rich cultural tapestry, bringing together diverse communities and celebrating local arts, traditions and creativity.
Zainap Halip, an administrative officer at the Resident’s Office representing the Samarahan Resident, said the event showcased Batang Sadong’s diversity, where Malay, Iban, Chinese, Bugis and Javanese communities live together in harmony and mutual respect.
“Arts and culture are the lifeblood of a community’s identity. If this heritage is neglected, we risk losing our identity and history as children of Batang Sadong,” she said at Padang Sentral Simunjan on Saturday.
Zainap noted that the festival provided a platform for local youth to showcase their talents in arts, performances, digital creativity, and cultural products.
She expressed confidence that these efforts could help generate family income and create job opportunities, supported by the Sarawak government through the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministry (MTCP).
The festival also plays a key role in boosting local tourism, she said, with handicraft stalls, traditional foods, and cultural products expected to attract more visitors, benefiting the local economy.
She urged the community to continue fostering unity, respecting cultural values, and maintaining Simunjan’s positive image.
“Uphold manners within our culture, respect the elders, guide the youth, and preserve the dignity of our place so that this district continues to progress alongside the beauty of the arts we showcase,” she added.
Running from Oct 24 to 26, the three-day festival featured 30 heritage exhibition booths and 55 vendor stalls offering local products, traditional foods, and creative works.
Popular activities included the Creative Gymnastics Competition, Traditional Porridge Cooking Contest, Children’s Fashion Competition with Sarawak Heritage Patterns, and Malaysian Ethnic Song Singing Competition, alongside cultural performances that drew crowds from all walks of life.
The festival was also graced by Simunjan state assemblyman Awla Dris, Simunjan district officer Sanuyah Mohamad, PERKAJAS chairman Abdul Lattif Poli, and deputy chairman of the Simunjan District Council councillor Mohammad Zaini Morshidi.
