MARUDI: The Baram Regatta 2026 is not merely a boat racing festival, but rather a manifesto of the aspirations of the people of Baram, as well as a symbol of the unity and harmony of the multiracial community that has been inherited for over a century.

Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government who is also Marudi Assemblyman, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil said the regatta, known as the "Mother Of All Regatta", began in 1899 as a result of consensus among the multiracial community to establish peace.

According to him, this year's Baram Regatta theme, changed to "Peace, Unity and Progress", underscores the importance of peace as the foundation for community unity and progress.

"For that, we need to practise a high degree of tolerance, do our best to foster social inclusiveness and reject all provocations and the spread of narrow political ideologies that typically use religious and racial rhetoric to garner political support during election seasons.

"When peace is successfully achieved, then all of us can move forward together in building unity within a multiracial and multireligious society," he said.

He said this while speaking at the Official Launching Ceremony of Baram Regatta 2026, which was officiated by the Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, at the Marudi Waterfront on Saturday.

He further explained that when peace and unity can be maintained, the community will be able to move forward together towards infrastructure development, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Meanwhile, Datuk Dr Penguang said Baram Regatta 2026 received an encouraging response, with 225 participants taking part in 21 powerboat racing events and 23 paddleboat teams, in addition to participants from Brunei Darussalam and several divisions in Sarawak including Lawas, Sibuti, Mukah, Dalat, Belaga and Miri.

This year's competition also offers five main trophies, namely the YAB Premier of Sarawak Trophy for the Open Paddle category, the Petra Energy Berhad Trophy for the Open Paddle category, the Yayasan Perpaduan Etnik Gemilang Trophy for the Men's 30-Paddle category, the Unity Baram Regatta Trophy (Yayasan Perpaduan) for the Open Paddle category, and the Raja Batang Baram Regatta Trophy for the Open Paddle category. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photos: Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Translator: Uilson Ng