PADAWAN: A total of 150 teams took on the challenging 22-km Padawan Raft Safari 2025, paddling from Kampung Danu to Kampung Git in a display of endurance and teamwork.
Making their debut in the NGO and Tower Agency category, 27 teams competed, with the Padawan Scout Leaders finishing eighth in 2 hours and 32 minutes.
The scout team, comprising Dr Danggat Chabo, Loneo Skireo, Micheal Balin Rambeh, and Mclaren Lois Hona, said they joined the race to encourage scout leaders to embrace sportsmanship and appreciation for nature.
The event kicked off with a welcoming speech by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai, who thanked organisers and participants, noting the strong community support that contributed to the event’s success.
Deputy Minister of Transport (Air and Road) and Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr. Jerip Susil, who officiated the event, highlighted the competition’s history, noting that it began as a contest between villages and NGOs before being handed over to MPP.
He said the raft safari has become a symbol of Padawan’s efforts to promote the beauty of its rivers as a healthy recreational site.
Dr. Jerip also urged villagers not to view the raft safari as merely a sports event, emphasising that it helps the community understand and value the environment, including rivers, nature, flora, and fauna, while also serving as a platform to strengthen local collaboration.
Visitors enjoyed traditional food, cultural performances, and handicraft displays, giving a glimpse of Padawan’s rich heritage while the raft safari was promoted beyond Borneo to attract both domestic and international tourists.
