Pontianak - Malaysian state of Sarawak will still send its delegation to the 8th West Kalimantan `Bumi Khatulistiwa` Cultural Festival to be held here from September 5 to 8.
"There is no cancellation. They are ready to participate in the FBBK in spite of recent demonstrations against Malaysians in the country following Malaysian police brutalization of an Indonesian karate referee in that country," the head of the provincial culture and tourism service, Rihat Natsir Silalahi, said here on Sunday.
Rihat said he hoped no mass demonstrations would occur to disrupt Sarawak`s participation in the festival. "FBBK is a cultural activity. It is aimed at attracting tourists to come to Pontianak and West Kalimantan in general," he said.
Natsir said security was one of the important factors for promoting tourism and in view of that he hoped the local people could help create it.
He said he had already coordinated with the police and other offices concerned to assure the security of all participants including from Sarawak.
The Sarawak participation in the festival this year would be the first following an offer made by the provincial culture and tourism service at the Malayasia-Indonesia Socio-Economic Cooperation meeting some time ago.
The Sarawak troupe would perform for two days in the festival including in a float parade at the opening of the event.
The FBBK held once in two years presents cultural and arts works from across the districts in the province including dances, traditional music performances, traditional foods and also a cultural dialogue.
The festival is expected to be opened by minister of culture and tourism Jero Wacik.
Source: www.antara.co.id (3 September 2007)
