KOTA KINABALU: 15 June 2026 – The 31st Regatta Lepa Semporna, taking place from 26 to 28 June, is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors, further strengthening Sabah’s position as an international-class cultural tourism destination.
Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Jafry Ariffin, said the annual event, synonymous with the heritage of the Bajau community in Semporna, is not only a symbol of state pride but also plays an important role in promoting the unique maritime culture of Sabah to domestic and international tourists.
According to him, this year’s event carries the theme “Regatta Lepa: Cultural Charm, Global Attraction”, reflecting the government’s ongoing efforts to turn cultural heritage into a high-value tourism asset on the global stage.
“Regatta Lepa is not just a cultural event, but a platform that brings together multi-ethnic communities, promotes cultural diversity and boosts the local economy through the tourism sector and creative industries,” he said at a press conference launching Regatta Lepa Semporna 2026 at The Magellan Sutera Resort today.
He said the festival, which began as a tradition of the Bajau community to appreciate the role of the lepa boat as their main form of transport in times past, has now evolved into an international-standard cultural event attracting culture enthusiasts from around the world.
Over the three days of the event, various attractions will be held including the Sangom Maglami-Lami Night, cultural performances, a Regatta Queen competition, a decorated lepa boat parade, traditional water sports such as boat races, plate diving and boat tug-of-war, as well as an official closing ceremony to be officiated by the Head of State of Sabah.
In addition, side programmes such as the Lepa Run, Lepa Golf competition, as well as sales booths and local product exhibitions are also being organised to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to promote their products.
Jafry said the hosting of Regatta Lepa is expected to have a positive impact on the local community’s economy through increased demand for accommodation, food and beverage, transport, as well as tourism and handicraft products.
He also stressed that safety and cleanliness aspects in Semporna continue to be strengthened with the cooperation of various government agencies to ensure visitor comfort and increase tourist confidence in the district.
“I advise those coming from outside Sabah: come without hesitation. The government has taken appropriate initiatives by deploying security teams to strategic areas in Semporna. Recently, no untoward incidents have occurred,” he said.
