Labuan: More than 10,000 people have attended the island’s flagship cultural showcase, the Borneo Arts Festival (BAF) 2025, at the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex to date, marking one of the strongest public turnouts in recent years.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ongoing five-day festival, held from Nov 13 to 17, has attracted locals, domestic tourists, and international visitors, including many from neighboring Brunei. This event has transformed the seaside complex and its surrounding areas into a hub of cultural performances, art exhibitions, and community activities.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa noted that the strong attendance reflects the community’s appreciation for the arts and the festival’s importance as a cultural and tourism driver for Labuan. She emphasized the festival’s role in bringing people together and enhancing Labuan’s potential as a regional hub for the creative economy.
Dr Zaliha reported that the festival has generated significant economic benefits since its opening, supporting local businesses such as traders, food vendors, homestays, hotels, and transport operators. She highlighted the packed eateries, strong retail activity, and high accommodation occupancy, with particular interest from visitors from Brunei.
She also mentioned that Labuan ferries were fully booked from Nov 12, indicating strong interest in the festival. Dr Zaliha stressed the importance of strengthening community-based programs to sustain tourism vibrancy throughout the year, suggesting that events driven by local participation have been effective in attracting tourists.
Labuan Corporation (LC) chief executive officer Mohd Sukuran Taib highlighted the festival’s unique offerings, such as traditional houses, cultural displays, Borneo creative dance, a cultural dance competition, and local dishes, which provide visitors with an immersive experience of the island’s heritage. He stated that these attractions draw families, culture enthusiasts, and food lovers.
Mohd Sukuran emphasized that the festival offers a valuable platform for exposure, networking, and cultural exchange among creatives from Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei. With additional headline performances scheduled over the weekend, organizers anticipate even larger crowds as the festival continues until Nov 17.
He added that the Borneo Arts Festival 2025 is part of Labuan Corporation’s annual tourism calendar, aimed at preserving cultural heritage, nurturing creative talent, and supporting economic diversification through arts-driven tourism. The festival’s closing ceremony is planned for Sunday night, expecting the week’s biggest crowd for the final performances and awards presentations.