By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: The waters of Semporna will soon be filled with colourful flotillas of traditional Bajau lepa boats as the district prepares to host the 31st Regatta Lepa festival from June 20 to 28.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said organisers were expecting up to 50,000 visitors for the week-long celebration of the Bajau community's rich maritime heritage, culture and traditions.
He said the annual event continued to attract growing numbers of domestic and international tourists, contributing significantly to the local economy.
"Regatta Lepa remains one of Sabah's most iconic cultural festivals, attracting thousands of local and international visitors each year.
"The event serves as a platform to preserve and promote the unique traditions of the Bajau Laut community, particularly the significance of the lepa boat, while strengthening cultural appreciation and tourism development in Semporna," he told a press conference.
The festival will officially begin with a launch ceremony at Dataran Bandar Utama in Semporna, which is expected to be attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The ceremony will feature the raising of the sambulayang, a traditional sail used on lepa boats.
Among the highlights of the festival are the grand cultural night, the Sangom Maglami-lami water festival, sea sports events and the much-anticipated lepa boat parade.
Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman is expected to officiate at the closing ceremony.
Jafry also assured visitors that security in Semporna remained under control, pointing to the United States government's recent decision to lower its travel advisory for eastern Sabah to reflect improved security conditions.
"I would advise those from outside Sabah to come without hesitation.
"The government has already taken the necessary measures by stationing security forces on the islands in the Semporna area.
"It is not only the United States. Several embassies have also been invited to experience the security situation firsthand."
The Sukau assemblyman said his ministry had also formed a joint task force to address issues involving illegal tourism operators and cleanliness in the district.
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