MIRI: The Taste of Borneo Cultural Carnival 4.0 reached a new milestone on Tuesday (Jul 7) with the debut of Rhythm&Warriors Night 2026, marking the first time martial arts have been incorporated into the week-long festival.
Officially opening the event, Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang said the inclusion of martial arts reflected the carnival’s continued evolution into a platform that celebrates the richness of Borneo’s diverse cultural heritage while nurturing values essential for future generations.
Describing martial arts as “living cultural heritage”, Adam said they embody discipline, respect, perseverance, humility and harmony, qualities that extend well beyond physical competition.
“Martial arts are not merely sports. They preserve philosophy, discipline and respect, while shaping character and resilience,” he said.
He said the programme was particularly relevant in developing young people who are not only physically capable but also mentally resilient, ethically grounded and equipped with leadership qualities.
The mayor noted that the festival has grown from a local cultural initiative into a regional platform linking communities from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and China, demonstrating the power of culture to foster understanding across borders.
Yii said initiatives such as Taste of Borneo complement Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 by promoting healthier communities, creativity, social cohesion and sustainable cultural tourism.
He credited the success of the festival to the collective efforts of the Sarawak Chinese Association, led by its president Harry Lee Tian Song, together with the Miri Resident’s Office, Miri City Council, 24 ethnic associations, government agencies, volunteers, sponsors and community partners.
Yii also paid tribute to Miri Resident Galong Luang and all stakeholders for transforming the carnival into one of Sarawak’s most prominent multicultural celebrations.
