The tranquil City of Kuching is set to rumble this September 3rd to 6th with the roars of over a thousand motorcycles, mostly of large displacement, from across Borneo and beyond.
The Capital of Sarawak comes alive, hosting the inaugural Kuching International Bike Week (KIBW), which has been highly anticipated by bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike.
More than 20,000 event goers are expected to throng the KIBW Festival, which will be held at CityONE Megamall, the largest operating commercial development in the state. An array of exciting activities, exotic & classy motorcycle displays, stage performances and thrilling convoy rides fill up the four-day program.
Organised by Iron Tiger Bikers Club Kuching (ITBCK), the festival is open to public, with several programs and benefits reserved exclusively and solely for bikers who register as VIB (Very Important Biker) participants at a fee of RM230.00 per person.
On the 4th of September, some 150 VIBs, mostly from outside Sarawak, will make their way in convoy to experience the Bidayuh longhouse lifestyle and culture in Kampung Benuk, Padawan.
The evening of that same day, bikers and event goers will converge at the rooftop of CityONE Megamall for the opening concert which showcases an exuberant cast of local talents from diverse ethnic backgrounds and headlined by the appearance of Malaysia-Singapore’s Papa Rock, Datuk Ramli Sarip, accompanied by fellow rock icon, Man Kidal.
The Kuching International Bike Week will be officially inaugurated during the City Ride, a large motorcycle parade through the city, which will be flagged off by the Minister of Tourism and Housing, YB Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg, at the grounds of Kuching South City Council. Some 700 motorcycles are expected to parade through the city and then continuing on to Damai Central, Santubong, where the riders will be received by the Minister of Social Development, YB Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom. The participants will be treated to a round of cultural performances, luncheon and a durian party.
Meanwhile, event goers at CityONE will have the pleasure of being mesmerized by the Stunt Riding Performances of Professional Stunt Rider, Aaron Twite. He is a seasoned and multi XDL stunt riding champion, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Fans will have the chance to see him up close, buy some of his memorabilia and hopefully, grab an autograph and photo with him. The festival will also see other exciting activities being run such as the Kickstart Kuching Kustom Kulture, Battle of the Bands, Street Dance Battle, Mr Fitness, Miss KIBW and KIBW Kool Kid contests.
The Bike Week culminates grandly on the evening of the 5th of September at Imperial Hotel Kuching in a celebratory Gala Dinner, which is to be graced by the presence of the Head of State, TYT Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, and the Chief Minister of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Adenan Haji Satem. It will be a night of awards, recognition and celebration of unity. The VIBs present will of course be mostly looking forward to winning the Grand Prize of the night in a Lucky Draw, a brand new Kawasaki Z800 motorcycle worth over RM50,000.00.
The excitement continues on Sunday, the 6th of September from 10am onwards through to 7pm, culminating with a closing ceremony at sunset. The penultimate activity will see the announcement of the winner of Miss KIBW, Street Dance Battle and the Battle of the Bands. It will be graced by the presence of Assistant Minister of Social Development, YB Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who will officially bring the event to a close. The Assistant Minister is also the Chairperson of the “Sekretariat Gabungan KIBW”, a state governmental advisor to the KIBW Organising Committee.
This event is one that is definitely not-to-be missed. All are invited to come and enjoy the festive occasion. Lots of souvenirs and event merchandise are available for purchase. In fact, there is even a chance for a lucky event goer to win a scooter if they register for any one of the official merchandise packages priced between RM60 to RM120. Terms and conditions apply of course. More information on the event can be found at www.kibw.com.my or on Facebook at the “Iron Tiger Bikers Club Kuching” page.
