By Sheeda Fathil
SABAK BERNAM, April 27 — The inaugural 2025 Paddy Field Festival (Festival Sawah Padi), held over two days until tomorrow, is being organised in line with the strategic implementation of the Sabak Bernam Development Area (Sabda).
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said the focus is on developing rural areas, modernising the agricultural sector, and further strengthening existing ecotourism and agrotourism initiatives.
"This festival is also organised to revitalise the northern gateway of Selangor as a modern agricultural area, while at the same time preserving the existing agrotourism by attracting both domestic and international tourists.
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari delivers his speech during the launch of the Sekinchan Paddy Field Festival 2025 at the Sekinchan Terminal in Sekinchan on April 26, 2025. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
"This is why Sabda was created — not to transform Sabak Bernam into an area of heavy industry or dense residential zones, but to gradually develop it so that it remains Selangor’s food basket and a centre for traditional heritage activities," he said.
Amirudin made these remarks when officiating the Sekinchan Paddy Field Festival 2025 at the Sekinchan Terminal yesterday, which was also attended by the state executive councillor for tourism and local government Dato' Ng Suee Lim.
Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar said the festival is also one of the activities under the Visit Selangor Year 2025 initiative.
“For example, the aeroplane placed at this terminal introduces a bit of innovation or added value, even though we had to reduce the paddy planting area slightly to accommodate it.
“Nevertheless, the surrounding areas continue to maintain the paddy fields, ensuring that the public can still enjoy and create memories by capturing photos with the aeroplane amidst the paddy fields," he said.
The two-day 2025 Paddy Field Festival, which started this morning, has several main attractions: the Travel Hunt Sekinchan, the Paddy Field Run (5km and 10km categories), a Food Festival featuring entrepreneurs from the Selangor Platform (PLATS), and Pasar Palong.
Also featured are a 4x4 off-road challenge, health screenings by KPJ Healthcare, tram and electric trishaw rides, and the opportunity to enjoy the scenic paddy fields while glamping.
Visitors are also entertained by performances from renowned local singer Aizat Amdan over the two days and cultural performances by the Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation (Padat).
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (front, second from left) officiates the Sekinchan Paddy Field Festival 2025 at the Sekinchan Terminal in Sekinchan on April 26, 2025. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
