KUALA TERENGGANU: The estuary of Sungai Terengganu here was a sea of Jalur Gemilang when 30 rafts, decorated with the national flag, took part in the “Sungai Terengganu Crossing Merdeka Raft 2017” race.
The unusual sight of a flotilla of rafts was the result of 300 government agencies and non-governmental organisations holding the event, in collaboration with the Terengganu Sports Club, to commemorate Merdeka and Malaysia Day.
“The raft flotilla race began at the state museum jetty in Pulau Wan Man and ended at Pulau Warisan, at the tip of the lagoon, some 4.59km away.
“There have been many different forms of celebrations to commemorate Merdeka and Malaysia Day, and we thought of another unique way to promote unity, harmony and patriotism among the people.
“The event was also a tourist draw as part of the ‘Visit Beautiful Terengganu 2017’ effort,” said Terengganu Health, Women, Family and Community Development committee chairman Roslee Daud.
Present were Kuala Nerus district officer Tengku Datuk Farouk Hussin Tengku Abdul Jalil, Kuala Terengganu principal assistant district officer Mohd Syukri Ibrahim, state Unity and Integration Department director Burhanuddin Daud, and state Social Welfare Department director Zuhami Omar.
For the government agencies category, the Hulu Terengganu district council won the top prize of RM1,000, followed by the Kemaman district council (RM600), and the local government state secretariat (RM500).
For NGOs, Mix Ibai, Mix Marang and KRT Pulau Sekati finished in that order to pocket the same amount of prize money as for the earlier category.
The Dungun Land Office emerged as the overall “Best Decorated Raft”, followed by Trackers Group and the Besut district council.