LIMBANG: The organisation of the Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race not only serves to preserve the cultural heritage of the community but is increasingly recognised as an economic catalyst that delivers direct benefits to local communities.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the state government continues to place emphasis on empowering the cultural sector due to its potential to drive economic development, particularly through the organisation of events centred on culture and community heritage.

He said the festival, which began on a modest scale in 2004, has become increasingly well-known in northern Sarawak and has successfully attracted visitors from across Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan and Brunei.

“Sometimes we do not realise that festivals like this actually play a significant role in stimulating the local economy.

“Small traders gain customers, homestay operators generate income, while food and handicraft entrepreneurs gain access to wider markets. Young people, meanwhile, are presented with opportunities to earn an income,” he said.

His speech was delivered by Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak and Bukit Kota Assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail during the Cultural Night and Performance held in conjunction with the Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race 2026 here on Saturday.

According to him, the annual increase in programme activities, community participation and tourist arrivals demonstrates that the Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race is no longer merely a local community event but has evolved into one of the state's cultural tourism products and is now listed in the Sarawak Tourism Annual Calendar.

At the same time, he emphasised that the Bisaya community plays an important role in ensuring the success of the festival through the practice of unity, togetherness and mutual support.

“The true strength of a community does not lie in its numbers, but in its unity, cooperation and spirit of helping one another. This unity must continue to be preserved so that the community can move forward alongside the government and continue to enjoy development,” he said.

He also called on the community to continue upholding the values of “Saganao, Sarunding and Sapanau”, which are in line with the spirit of “Segulai Sejalai” embraced by the people of Sarawak, to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.

Also present were the wife of Bukit Kota Assemblyman Datin Dayang Maimunah Awang Daud, Sabah Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry and President of the Sabah Bisaya Association Datuk Ruslan Muharam, Batu Danau Assemblyman and Patron of the Sarawak Bisaya Association Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang, together with his wife Datin Mary Sindang, Deputy Chairman of the Sarawak Civil Service Commission and Adviser to the Sarawak Bisaya Association Datu Antonio Kahti Galis, as well as President of the Sarawak Bisaya Association Datu Joseph Blandoi, together with his wife Datin Julita Serudin. -UKASnews

Translator : Uilson Ng