SIBU: The 2011 Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari originally fixed for April 8-9 has been postponed due to the impending state election.

It will be held on July 23 and 24.

Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot said it was widely speculated that the state election would be called within the next two months.

“Everyone of us would be very busy with the election expected soon.

“So in order not to clash with the election we have to postpone the event,” Dahim said after chairing a meeting on the event.

He told Star Sarawak the postponement would not cause much inconvenience as there had been no person or team registered for the event yet.

“We will only open for registration after the election,” Dahim pointed out.

The Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari first started in 1996 and it is the only tourism event in Kapit listed on Sarawak’s calendar of events.

The competition is very challenging and it covers approximately 50km, starting from Rumah Ajai and Rumah Anding in the Baleh River and ends at the Kapit Wharf in the Rajang River.

An overnight stay in a local Iban longhouse on the eve of the competition provides participants insight into their lifestyle, culture and traditions.