THOUSANDS of visitors from all walks of life thronged the three-day Penang International Paddy Festival (PIPF) this year.
Organised by the Penanti constituency service centre and Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency service centre, the festival, in its fourth edition, was held at Kampung Terus, Penanti, in Permatang Pauh, from July 22 to 24.
The first two editions were held physically in 2018 and 2019, but the third was held virtually last year due to the Covid-19 situation.
State Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, who is also the Penanti assemblyman, said the paddy festival is a celebration of rich cultural heritage and nature.
She added that the site chosen is also one of the oldest paddy heritage sites in Seberang Perai, dating back to the 1800s.
“Several activities, such as the Paddy Straw Sculpture Competition (Pertandingan Arca Jerami Padi), photography competition, food bazaar, traditional games, arts and crafts, paddy exhibition and river cruise, were among the exciting activities and programmes conducted during the three-day festival.
“The objectives are to preserve and promote the 1,015 acres of heritage paddy fields in Kampung Terus, support the local farmers as they play a pivotal role in food security and develop the place as a tourist attraction.
“One of the unique elements of PIPF was that it featured at least 17 paddy sculptures of interesting shapes such as buffalo and scarecrow. They were made from discarded rice straws and were fully handcrafted by the Kampung Terus villagers.
“And I would like to thank the Kampung Terus villagers and festival organising committee members, who gave their best effort to make the festival a success.
“As their elected representative, I am so proud of them,” Dr Norlela said in her speech before Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow officiated the closing ceremony of the festival today.
Chow said the Penang International Paddy Festival deserved to be recognised as one of the national tourism events and should be included in the national tourism calendar.
“This is because the festival managed to receive overwhelming support from the public.
“As we can see today, thousands of people, including local and international tourists, thronged the three-day festival.
“I remember during the previous editions, there were thousands of visitors and tourists flocking to the three-day festival in 2018 and 2019.
“Thus, this shows that the Penang International Paddy Festival has its own uniqueness and potential to be recognised as a national event.
“If this can be done, then it will become one of the cultural and heritage places that must be visited in the country.
“And so, this will put Kampung Terus as a popular eco-tourism destination,” he said.
Chow also suggested that the Paddy Straw Sculpture Competition be promoted to the international level to attract more participation from international artists and to promote Penang as an art hub.
“The state government is also confident that Kampung Terus is a suitable location that has the potential to be used as a sculpture art stage for university students, artists, landscape architects and professional designers from local and neighbouring states.
“The Penang government will continue to support this kind of festival as it is related to the history, culture and heritage of paddy farmers, who are important for the preservation of the country’s identity and model for our future generation,” said Chow.
Also present during the closing ceremony were Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad and former MBSP mayor Datuk Seri Rozali Mohamud.
During the same event, Arcathect, USM emerged as the winner of the Penang Chief Minister Award under the Paddy Straw Sculpture Competition to bag RM30,000 cash prize, a trophy and a certificate.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Law Suun Ting