1,000 Belitung residents hold mass betel-chewing event

Pangkalpinang (ANTARA) - A total of 1,000 residents of Belitung Regency in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province staged a mass betel-chewing event to preserve the tradition of menyirih, hoping to spur a revival of tourism in the region.

“Tradition of menyirih is a cultural heritage of the community that must be safeguarded and preserved,” said Hidayat Arsani, Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands, as he joined the mass menyirih with 1,000 residents in Tanjung Pendam Belitung, on Friday.

He said the mass betel-chewing event, attended by 1,000 Belitung residents, is part of the Napak Sire Belitung Cultural Festival 2026, aimed at advancing the tourism sector and the economy of the local community.

“Menyirih is not only part of customary rites, but also carries meanings of camaraderie, respect and togetherness to build this nation,” he added.

“I hope the younger generation will be creative and innovative, so that local culture can be introduced more broadly to the world,” he said.

The Regent of Belitung, Djoni Alamsyah Hidayat, said this year’s Napak Sire Belitung Cultural Festival could trigger a revival of tourism and the local economy.

“Budaya sekapur sirih has already attracted the attention of the central government as part of efforts to revive the region’s culture, and the festival of course will be one of the triggers to support tourism on Belitung Island,” he said.

On that occasion, the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia presented an award to the Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands, Hidayat Arsani. The award designates the Napak Sire Festival as one of 125 events selected for Nusantara Charisma Event 2026.