KANOWIT: The inaugural Kanowit Cultural Festival (KCF) 2026 has the potential to become an important platform in uniting people of various ethnicities, religions and races in the spirit of unity and togetherness.
National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang said the festival, which began on May 1, received an overwhelmingly positive response from the local community.
He said programmes of such nature are in line with the aspirations of the National Unity Ministry in strengthening ties within Malaysia’s multiracial society through activities involving various layers of the community.
“For us at the National Unity Ministry, activities like this are certainly welcomed because through programmes such as this, we are able to bring together various ethnic groups, communities, religions and races under one movement.
“We do not face any problems in coming together because everyone is able to participate in the various activities carried out throughout the two-week festival,” he said in an UKAS report following the launching of the festival held at Kanowit Town Waterfront.
Apart from serving as a platform to unite the multiracial community, Aaron, who is also Kanowit MP, express hope that the festival would be widely promoted through media publicity.
He said such efforts have the potential to position KCF as one of the tourism products capable of attracting visitors to Sarawak, particularly to Kanowit.
Earlier, a ‘Niti Daun’ parade was held involving 36 contingents from various government agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), schools and local communities.
At the event, the Kanowit District Education Office contingent was crowned overall champion, followed by the Kanowit District Police Headquarters (IPD) contingent in second place and the Kanowit Fire and Rescue Station contingent in third.
Also present were Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana and Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong.
