Regatta Lepa Opens Up Tourism Collaboration Between Malaysia And Indonesia
SEMPORNA, June 28 (Bernama) -- The organisation of the three-day Regatta Lepa festival, whose 31st edition this year concluded today, has successfully opened up broader tourism collaboration between Sabah, Malaysia, and the North Kalimantan region in Indonesia.
The acting head of the Indonesian consulate-general (KRI) in Tawau, Dino Nurwahyudin, said that through the cultural festival, the consulate presented various attractions with the special theme "Wonderful Indonesia."
He hopes that the network of cooperation will allow foreign tourists visiting Sabah, especially in Semporna, to extend their visits to Indonesia and vise versa.
To support the connectivity efforts, he said that the direct flights between Tawau and Tarakan, which were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now being worked on to be reopened.
"An Indonesian airline is scheduled to reactivate the commercial route by July or August," he told Bernama.
Dino explained that the reopening of the air route would create a more comfortable connection and facilitate the movement of visitors and tourists from both countries.
"The move is also believed to generate sustainable economic growth for the people, considering that tourism is one of the main sources of income for Sabah and North Kalimantan," he said.
He also said that the ripple effect of this tourism collaboration is significant because it will directly benefit the hospitality sector, handicrafts and the food industry, which in turn will help small business owners and entrepreneurs in Semporna as well as North Kalimantan.
Meanwhile, Dino, who witnessed the traditional festival for the first time, also expressed his highest appreciation to the Sabah state government for providing excellent facilities and the best boat for KRI in Tawau during the celebration.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiuying, a 34-year-old marine biologist from Hainan, China, expressed her deep admiration for the way the festival beautifully synchronised cultural preservation with environmental awareness. Having travelled to various global coastal destinations for her research, she noted that seeing the meticulously carved perahu lepa floating in the crystal-clear waters of Semporna was an impressive sight that goes far beyond a typical tourist attraction.
She highlighted that the vibrant celebration perfectly reflects how deeply rooted the local community is in their marine environment, making the entire experience feel profoundly authentic and ecologically significant.
"Back in Hainan, we also share a rich maritime connection, but witnessing the community here instal thousands of coloUrful 'sambulayang flags' along the roads and perform traditional igal dances on wooden boats is truly fascinating," said Chen.
Chen said that a visit to the iconic floating villages and interaction with the locals provided him with a rare and intimate insight into the unique wisdom of the Bajau people, particularly in how they have sustainably coexisted with the ocean's biodiversity for centuries.
Marcus Vee, a 29-year-old banker from Sembawang, Singapore, shared his enthusiasm for the bustling and vibrant atmosphere that took over the entire district during the festival.
Vee explained that the pure energy of Regatta Lepa provided a refreshing and authentic escape, especially when observing the local community come together to decorate the town with colourful sambulayang flags.
The festival successfully demonstrated how cultural heritage can effectively boost the local economy, benefiting small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs on the ground. It is also incredible to see how the perahu lepa is not only treated as a piece of history but as an active and living symbol of identity that the younger generation openly celebrates," said Vee.
He mentioned that watching the traditional igal dance performances on the moving boats was one of the highlights of his trip, offering an unforgettable glimpse into the deep maritime roots of the Semporna community.
-- BERNAMA
