A regatta will be held on Sunday, August 12 in conjunction with His Majesty’s 72nd birthday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) announced on Monday, with over 30,000 people expected to attend.
The event will feature a new format this year, including three new routes for the 1000m, 2000m and 5000m race and the introduction of a category for secondary schools and college students.
Local and regional rowers from Malaysia, Indonesia and China will compete in 12 races under the following categories: special boat race; open race; youth; higher education institutions; secondary school and colleges; private companies; marathon race; district representatives and ministries.
For spectators who want to catch all the action, the morning programme will begin at 9am and the afternoon programme will begin at 1pm.
The 1000m boat race will kick off at the Arts and Handicraft Centre and end at the Royal Wharf.
For the 2000m race, rowers will start at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha (RIPAS) bridge and finish in front of the Royal Wharf. In the 5000m contest, participants will start at Pulau Si Bongor and finish in front of Royal wharf.
Safety first
A total of 1,200 enforcement personnel will be on duty both on land and on water this Sunday to ensure the event runs smoothly.
The roads in the capital will remain open to traffic and motorists are advised to plan their journey in advance, using alternative routes if necessary.
Drivers using the RIPAS bridge in Sungai Kebun are not allowed to stop or park their vehicles along the bridge for safety reasons.
Medical tents will be available at several locations along the stretch from the Royal Wharf to the Arts and Handicraft Centre.
In cases of an emergency, members of the public are urged to follow the instructions from uniformed personnel and gather at the designated assembly points.
Bandarku Ceria activities will be limited
As the regatta falls on a Sunday, activities during Bandarku Ceria, the capital’s car-free day, will be limited, authorities said.
Cycling routes around the capital leading up to the roundabout in front of the Prime Minister’s Office will be temporarily closed, with roads remaining open to vehicles.
Hawker stalls will also be limited to the stretch of road along Jalan Pemancha and Jalan Pretty.
Rubbish bins will be placed in strategic areas in the capital, with authorities reminding the public that cleanliness is a collective responsibility.
Regatta exhibition
The Museums Department will also be launching its regatta exhibition this Sunday, which will be open to the public for three months.