22nd Pesta Benak to take place Sept 19-21 at Sri Aman Waterfront
KUCHING (Aug 7): The 22nd edition of Pesta Benak is set to take place from Sept 19 to 21 at the Sri Aman Waterfront in Simanggang.
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar shared the announcement in a Facebook post, saying he was informed of the festival dates during a courtesy visit by the Pesta Benak organising committee at the Astana Negeri yesterday.
He also revealed that he and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, have been officially invited to officiate the festival's closing ceremony on Sept 21.
The delegation, led by State Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development and Simanggang assemblyman, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, also briefed Wan Junaidi and Fauziah on this year's theme: 'Explore the Uniqueness and Challenges of the Benak Phenomenon in Batang Lupar, Sri Aman.'
Wan Junaidi said the three-day festival aims to continue celebrating the iconic tidal bore phenomenon while stimulating the local economy through broad community and industry participation.
'We also expressed our hope that Pesta Benak will be further developed into an internationally recognised annual event, in line with the state government's aspiration to make Sri Aman a major tourism destination,' he said.
During the meeting, Wan Junaidi also proposed the establishment of a training centre in Sri Aman.
The facility could serve as both an agricultural products exhibition space and a hub for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
He said the centre would provide a platform for local communities to promote and sell their produce, while also equipping school leavers, particularly those who did not complete Form 3 or Form 5, with marketable technical skills.
'This would enable them to gain recognised skills certificates and better job opportunities,' he added.
Among those present were Sri Aman Resident Mahra Salleh, Sri Aman District Officer Shariff Bujang, Sri Aman District Council Secretary Mohd Rizal Zakaria, and other local officials. Pesta Benak Sri Aman Wan Junaidi
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