Juhar lighting the “Dragon Boat Sacred Flame” to launch the 9th FCAS International Dragon Boat Race.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin launched the 9th Sabah International Dragon Boat Race, organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) at Likas Bay here yesterday.
Accompanied by the President of FCAS and Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) Tan Sri T C Goh and other guests, Juhar lit the ‘Dragon Boat Sacred Flame’and signalled the start of the unique “Dragon Boat Festival Zongzi Tossing” activity.
Juhar was accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R M Jasni.
This year’s event is also listed as one of the key activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
Also present were the Chinese Consul General in Kota Kinabalu Dr Huang Shifang, Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister and Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister and Luyang Assemblyman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin, Assistant Finance Minister and Likas Assemblyman Tan Lee Fat, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun, Huazong Vice President Datuk Lam Kuang Yau and FCAS Deputy President cum Organising Chairperson of the event Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, among others.
A total of 145 dragon boat teams from four countries participated in this year’s event, competing in 11 categories with a total prize pool of RM94,000.
