TAWAU: The Bugis Ethnic Food Fiesta in Tawau will be a pilot for a bigger programme in the future, said Permanent Secretary to the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Datuk Sr Mohd Yusrie Abdullah.
He said this after attending on behalf of the Minister, Datuk Jafry Ariffin to officiate the Fiesta on Saturday.
Yusrie is confident such programme will not only boost tourism activities but encourage community participation in arts-based and cultural heritage industries.
“One of our focuses is to develop a tourism product based on heritage and culture, which will certainly attract more tourists from inside and outside the country,” he said.
The Tawau Bugis Ethnic Food Fiesta was held for the first time and garnered positive feedback.
A variety of traditional Buginese traditional food were presented accompanied by cultural dances of the ethnicity.
To name a few of the 21 types of traditional foods available were Berongko, Sikapuru, Kapurung, Baje, Palaya, Baulu Pecca, Sokko, Palopo, Tumpi-Tumpi and Beppalaya.
Yusrie explained that the fiesta not only highlights the unique customs and culture of each race, but it also has the potential to be developed as an important tourism product for Sabah.
“Therefore, the Ministry fully supports its organisation and hopes that it can be developed to a higher level with the participation of all ethnic groups in the state of Sabah,” he said.
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