NEWS OF THE DAY ~ Reinforce Lepa heritage: Shafie

Daily Express Published on: Sunday, April 22, 2012 Semporna: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on Saturday urged industry players to engage in proactive and collaborative efforts to reinforce the Lepa boat building heritage in the district. He said Lepa building skills, believed to have its earliest origins in Pulau Bum Bum, need to be maintained as a national heritage. "The water fest or Regatta Lepa will help to preserve Malaysia's cultural diversity," he said while speaking at the launch of the event held for the 19th time, by Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, here, Saturday. Also present were Juhar's wife Toh Puan Hajjah Nurida R.M Jasni, former Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Sakaran Dandai and Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nasir Tun sakaran. Mohd Shafie, who is also Semporna MP, said the Regatta Lepa had helped to entrench Sabah and the district, in particular, as a prominent tourist destination. He said the event had been effective in generating the State's economy and that of the local community through its ability to draw thousands of visitors.