Pesta Kobis to allay Kundasang pesticide fears
Kundasang: The Cabbage Festival here popularly known as Pesta Kobis to be held on Dec 10 will showcase various vegetable produce from the Kundasang highland farming community over three days.
A spokesperson, Wasri Tarisin, said 25 types of vegetables from the Kundasang highlands would be available.
Participants from 16 villages are expected to join in the event, bringing varieties of produce from their respective villages.
According to Wasri, each participant is expected to showcase their best produce which would be judged by its size, freshness and lusciousness.
“Officials from the Agriculture Department, Fama and Planters Association will be involved in the judging,” he said.
An information booth within the Kundasang Township premises would also be sited to repudiate claims that the highland vegetables there are saturated with pesticides and herbicides.
Besides that there will also be a booth to showcase household and farming instruments from the olden days.
This would ensure that youths will have a knowledge of these gadgets of yore. Visitors would also have a glimpse of the people’s lifestyle in the olden days.
Another booth is the Traditional Costume Booth where youths dressed in full traditional regalia would be available for picture taking for a fee.
Various government departments be showcasing their services and wares. Revellers, including children would be able to enjoy activities organised for them.
Several sports activities lined up include a Kundasang Kembarathon, which will be flagged off by the Tourism Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.
The Kembarathon comes in three categories ‑ mainly 21km run Open, 18 km Run Veteran and 9km Run Junior.
The Open category winner will receive RM1,000 cash, a medal and a participation certificate, runner up RM800, a medal and certificate while the second runner up will receive RM500 medal and participation certificate.
The fourth to 10th placings would receive RM100, a medal and certificate.
“The Veteran Category’s winner will recive RM800, a medal and certificate, runner up RM500, medal and certificate, the second runner up RM300, medal and certificate while the fourth to tenth placing will receive RM100, medal and a participation certificate.”
As for the Junior Category, the winner will take home RM500, a medal and participation certificate, runner up RM300, a medal and participation certificate and third place RM150, a medal and participation certificate.
Fourth to 10th placing will bring home RM80, medal and a participation certificate,” he elaborated.
Wasry said they expect 300 participants for the three categories.
A Motorcross Enduro Challenge opened to interested members of the public would also be held on the same day.
The spokesperson for this event, Aziz Rijin shared that their target for participation is 30 people with motobikes of 150cc engine below.
“The winners can expect RM800 and medal for first, RM550 and a medal for runner up, second runner up at RM350 and a medal with the fourth and fifth placings receiving RM350 and a medal respectively.
The sixth to tenth places receive hamper,” he said.
A 4×4 Challenge at a circuit near the Kundasang township, is expected to attract at least 10 participants.
The winner would receive RM3,000, runner up RM1,500, third place RM700, fourth place and fifth place RM250.
Other sports competitions are futsal, for both men and women categories, sports for children and Tug o’ War for Men.
The guest of honour is Agricultrue and Food Industry Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin.
Source: Daily Express
