Kuching Waterfront Decorated Boats Parade 2023

The Decorated Boats Parade 2023 unfolds on 29th July 2023 at Kuching Waterfront Sarawak River, in conjunction with 60th Anniversary of Sarawak independence. The last decorated floats parade at Kuching waterfront was 10 years ago at year 2013 during the celebration of the 50th Malaysia Day. Beautiful decorated boats with colorful lights and decoration cruise along the Sarawak river. Thousands of people from near and far all gather along the Kuching Waterfront to admire the amazing decorated boats as they parade across.

Event : Decorated Boats Parade 2023

Theme : ‘Sarawak Maju Makmur’, 60th anniversary of Sarawak’s independence

Date : 29th July 2023 (Saturday)

Time : 8:00PM – 11:00PM

Location : Sarawak river along Kuching Waterfront, with the main stage in front of the square tower at Kuching Waterfront.

As early as 5:00PM, people from far and near gather along the Kuching waterfront , booking a front seat to able to view the decorated boat parade. It is a anticipated event as the last similar decorated boat parade was a decade ago.

There are 20 major decorated boats participating in the parade, which are from various ministry, agencies and private companies.

The activities of the celebration :

1. Opening Ceremony
2. Jet ski performance
3. ‘Perahu Tambang’ parade
4. Decorated Boat parade
5. Grand Finale performance

The river is full of activities in the evening as patrol boats and speed boats cruising along the Sarawak river to ensure the safety and order of the events. Occasionally the jet ski performing amazing stunts and group performance in front of the main stage to bring entertainment before the arrival of honor guest.

In the evening, the participating boat cruise up the Sarawak river and waiting along Pangkalang Abok for the starting of the parade. Even without lighting up of the light, the boats are amazing piece of art.

The Sama Jaya High Tech Park decorated boat featuring the major high tech industry in the park such as Lotte, Linde, Western Digital, muRata, Longi, Taiyo Yuden, Air Liquide, MacDermid Alpha. It showcase the modernization of Sarawak industry towards the high tech industry.

The landmark Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building is lit up in Red and Yellow stripes, featuring the two of the main color in Sarawak flag. The red and yellow color is well contrast with the deep blue sky during the dusk. The musical fountain lighting lit up with amazing light dance.

Upon the arrival of guest of honor, the decorated boat officially started at 9:00PM. It is started with the opening ceremony and jet ski performance, follow by parade by the Sarawak Coastguard and ‘Perahu Tambang’.

The ‘Perahu Tambang’ is a unique sampan man boat ride feature along the kuching waterfront where visitor can pay to take a boat ride along the river or getting across the Sarawak river. There is multiple jetties along the Kuching waterfront. Some of the boat are manual paddle while some are motorized boat. Some of the boat are equipped with solar panels.

The ‘Perahu Tambang’ is decorated with colorful lights along the boat. Group of boats cruise across Sarawak river, creating a peaceful and colorful scenery with the shooting background music.

The ‘Perahu Tambang’ cruise along the Kuching waterfront, passing the Darul Hana bridge and make a U-turn back to their starting jetties. It is a simple parade but showcase the diversity of Sarawak culture.

After the ‘Perahu Tambang’ parade, the decorated boat or decorated floats officially begins. The first decorated boat is from Department Of The Premier Of Sarawak. It feature various projects and initiative of the department.

Subsequently is decorated boats from different ministry in Sarawak. Each decorated boat featuring the unique projects of respective department and ministry. Mascot and performers in traditional clothing dancing to the music in harmony.

The contingent for the decorated boat parade includes:

• Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources (MUDeNR)
• Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications (MUT)
• Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP)
• Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD)
• Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED)
• Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG)
• Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (MFICORD)
• Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD)
• Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development (Mintred)
• Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK).
• Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty)
• Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB)
• Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad
• Samling Timber Malaysia
• Shin Yang Group of Companies
• Kuching North City Commission (DBKU)
• Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC)
• Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda)
• Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS)

The competition for the best decorated boat during the parade was won by Samling Timber Malaysia, second place went to Sarawak Premier’s Department and third goes to Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS).

The parade ends with a jet ski performance and everyone was happy with the event. It will probably takes another 10 years for the next decorated boat parade which celebrates the 70th anniversary of Sarawak Independence. Stay tune.