KOTA SAMARAHAN: The three-day ‘Jom Heboh Segulai Sejalai Sarawak’ carnival drew tens of thousands of visitors, with nearly 20,000 people attending the closing-night concert alone.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the overwhelming turnout reflected Kota Samarahan’s potential to host more large-scale events in the future.
“Thank God, ‘Jom Heboh’ over the three days went smoothly.
The response from the people of Samarahan was extraordinary and the festival grounds were packed with visitors every night,” he was quoted as saying in a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS).
He said this after the closing concert at the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) grounds here on Sunday night (Aug. 2).
Abdul Karim, who is also the Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister, said the participation of government agencies and local entrepreneurs had also received an encouraging response, making the carnival more than just an entertainment event.
He thanked the Samarahan Division Resident’s Office, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), Samarahan District Office, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and other agencies for ensuring the programme ran smoothly.
He also expressed appreciation to Media Prima Omnia for bringing the carnival to Kota Samarahan, noting that the event had originally been proposed for Kuching.
“The response over the past three days shows Kota Samarahan is a suitable venue for ‘Jom Heboh’. God-willing, if there are no obstacles, we hope to bring it back here next year.”
Abdul Karim added that the state government and Media Prima Omnia would also explore the possibility of organising future editions in other parts of Sarawak, including Bintulu, Sibu, Betong and Sarikei, subject to discussions and the suitability of the locations.
