SIPITANG: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has arrived for the launch of the International Gasing and Tamu Besar (Gata) Sipitang Festival 2017 here, as part of his working visit to the state today.
He arrived at Gata Square here at 9.50am, accompanied by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
This is the seventh installation of the three-day festival since its inception in 2003, and thousands of visitors from Sabah and beyond are expected to attend.
The Gata Festival showcases the vibrant culture of residents of the district, which is located 135 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, and helps promote it as a leading tourist destination.
Zahid is slated to visit the state capital in the afternoon, when he will conduct a home visit programme at Kampung Tebobon in Menggatal, and also attend a gathering with the people of the Sepanggar Parliamentary constituency there.