Brunei Sultan joins Sarawak Regatta longboat race

KUCHING: The Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah today attended the 145th Sarawak Regatta and joined the men's 20-paddler longboat race.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his team 'Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei' competed against seven other teams.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg also participated in the competition with the Sarawak Chief Minister's team in the VIP category, which was held for the first time at the Kuching Waterfront today.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his team Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei won the race, which was flagged off by Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.
The longboat or bidar race was introduced during Rajah Brooke's era in 1872 to promote friendship among the various tribes in Sarawak back then. — Bernama