Heaptalk, Jakarta — Acting Governor of East Kalimantan Akmal Malik is confirmed to attend the Dahau Festival to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the West Kutai Regency. The peak celebration is scheduled for November 3-5 and will be centered at Itho Sendawar Square.
Akmal Malik will accompany President Joko Widodo on his visit to West Kutai on November 3, 2023. “Previously, I am grateful to be visited by the Regent and Vice Regent of West Kutai. I will attend the Dahau Festival via land route,” said Akmal when visited by West Kutai Regent FX Yapan and Vice Regent Edyanto Arkan in the East Kalimantan Governor’s Office (10/17).
The road trip from Samarinda City, East Kalimantan to Sendawar District, West Kutai usually takes six hours. According to Akmal, long travel time is not an issue for him. He once traveled a long distance of 12 hours when he served as Acting Governor of West Sulawesi. Akmal emphasized, “Therefore, I will attend (the celebration). Moreover, the President will attend the event, surely I will be there as well.”
Further, Akmal will be accompanied by Assistant for Government and People’s Welfare Sirajuddin, Assistant for Economics and Development Administration Ujang Rachmad, Head of the National and Political Unity Agency (Kesbangpol) Sofian Agus, Head of the East Kalimantan Health Department Dr. Jaya Mualimin, and Secretary of the East Kalimantan Tourism Department Sofian Agus.
Supporting tourism activities in West Kutai
In addition, Akmal expressed his support for the tourism activities carried out in the series of West Kutai’s anniversary celebrations. Previously, he promoted Beras Basah Island which is located in Bontang Regency, East Kalimantan.
This year’s Dahau Festival is different from previous years as President Joko Widodo will be present at the celebration. Regent FX Yapan said, “There is quite a lot on the agenda, the highlight is a declaration of support from all regency/city governments throughout East Kalimantan and the East Kalimantan Provincial Government which will take place in West Kutai together with the community to make IKN a success.”
Yapan estimates that 36,300 people will participate in the declaration of support for IKN, including the Dayak community. Besides, there will be a record-breaking for the largest number of people wearing anjat, a bag woven from rattan typical of West Kutai. (Translated by Sinta)
