Pesta Ambal that showcasing local culture has the potential to attract tourists

ASAJAYA, Jan 4 2026:  Pesta Ambal Asajaya, a strategic platform to showcase local culture, is natural heritage that has a potential to attract tourists, thus positioning Asajaya as a distinctive community-based destination in Sarawak.

Caption: Asajaya District Officer Jerry Zannuddin Bidin speaking at the closing of Pesta Ambal Asajaya - Picture by Ukas
 

Asajaya District Officer Jerry Zannuddin Bidin said besides highlighting ambal as a traditional delicacy, the festival also serves as an important avenue to introduce the district’s broader attractions, including its expansive coastline, rich marine resources and active local communities.

He noted that since its inception in 2016, Pesta Ambal has demonstrated strong potential as a community-driven tourism product capable of attracting visitors from both within and outside the area.

“Ambal is a unique traditional food closely associated with the people of Asajaya and Sarawak in general. It is a natural asset that deserves to be continuously promoted and elevated,” he said when speaking on the final day of Pesta Ambal Asajaya 2026 at Masjid An-Najah here today.

Jerry also expressed appreciation to the organising committee of Pesta Ambal Asajaya 2026, led by Associate Professor Dr Sopian Bujang, as well as all parties involved, including the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), councillors, community leaders and UNIMAS students who played an active role throughout the festival.

According to him, the involvement of students and the local community through 'rewang' and gotong-royong activities not only fostered a strong spirit of cooperation, but also contributed to preserving local cultural heritage for future generations.

He added that the festival should continue to be enhanced in terms of content, activities and scale in the coming years to ensure wider impact and stronger visibility.

“Programmes like this do not only promote traditional food, but also the overall potential of Asajaya, including its coastal areas, town centre, village products and tourism initiatives such as the Desa Kirana Scheme,” he said.

Also present were Pesta Ambal Asajaya 2026 Organising Committee chairman Associate Professor Dr Sopian Bujang, Assistant District Officer of Asajaya Hasanah Bujang and Penghulu Asajaya Ulu Dahlan Man.

Larry Sng says he has no problem working with the two GPS state legislative members

JULAU, Jan 4 2026: Julau Member of Parliament Larry Sng said that he has no problem working with State Legislative Members (SLMs) from Meluan and Pakan, despite being from different political parties.

Caption: Julau MP Larry Sng performing the "Mangkung Tiang" ceremony at Rumah Janting longhouse- Facebook/Larry Sng 

“I always work with the community leaders and assemblymen (Meluan and Pakan),” he said yesterday. 

Meluan and Pakan state constituencies are both within the Julau parliamentary constituency. 

“We in government always have a way to be together even though the parties are different, but we are still together because the goal is to develop the country,” Sng said yesterday, referring to himself as Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president while Meluan and Pakan SLMs Rolland Duat anak Jubin and William Mawan are from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

PBM is an opposition party in Sarawak, but a member of the unity government at the federal level.

“We are not playing politics, so I hope our people here can work together and hopefully be more successful than last year,” he said at “Mangkung Tiang” ceremony at the 50-door Rumah Janting longhouse.

He expressed hope that the residents of Rumah Janting longhouse to remain united “because this longhouse is 50-door long and I think, it is among the longest longhouses in Pakan, besides Nyalak Ladong.”

“I hope everyone whatever your activities are will always be together including being together with other villages,” Sng said.