Congratulations to Federal Government's new deputy ministers from Sarawak

The recent Federal Government’s Cabinet reshuffle had captured Malaysia’s news headlines and our media friends had seek my comments on this matter which is of public’s interest. I had expressed hope for the smooth cooperation with Sarawak’s newly appointed federal deputy ministers namely YB Mordi Bimol and YB Chief Choon Man. YB Mordi, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mas Gading in Bau had replaced the former Federal Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, YB Adam Adli while YB Chiew the MP for Miri is now the new Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture. 

I have congratulated both MPs on their recent appointments and had expressed hope for them to play active role in advancing sports and tourism development in Sarawak following the recent Federal Cabinet reshuffle. I have also urged them to prioritise initiatives for Sarawak and we must take note that both of them are new to federal roles and will need time to adjust, and when they do, he said their responsibility is not only for Sarawak but for the whole of Malaysia.

I have also mentioned it will not be easy, especially for newcomers. We hope they will continue to give priority to sports and tourism development in Sarawak. I have praised the outgoing Youth and Sports Minister, YB Hannah Yeoh for her support in organising the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) and in the preparation for the 2027 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games which Sarawak will co-host with three other states.

“I will miss her, as she has been instrumental in assisting us. Our hope is that the new minister will continue what has been set in motion. Of course, there may be new policies, but the plans already approved by the federal Cabinet for SEA Games 2027 will be continued. We have plans to pay a courtesy call to the new Federal Youth and Sports Minister, YB Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari soon. Even though he is very young but we have the confidence in building a productive working relationship. Most importantly the continuity and cooperation between federal and state levels must prevail because these are keys to keeping major sporting and tourism projects on track.

Commenting on recent launch of AirBorneo's tickets prices which had attracted criticisms from the public

My comments on the recent public’s response to the tickets prices by AirBorneo which had been launched the few days. I have urged our local folks to give Sarawak's new state-owned airline some time to adjust its fares after taking over from MASwings Sdn Bhd. The ticket prices were just launched and we called for the people to exercise patience and understanding during this initial period. The aircrafts have mot even started flying, and people are already complaining. “Give it a chance” I have said to our media friends in responding to the public’s dissatisfaction with high airfares on Airborneo's newly launched website. 

Sarawak-owned airline AirBorneo has begun selling flight tickets following the recent launch of its official website on December 10. Travels on AirBorneo are available from January 14 next year, marking a key milestone in Sarawak’s anticipated entry into Malaysia’s commercial aviation. AirBorneo's initial network will focus on domestic routes within Sarawak and Sabah. Presently the routes are currently operated using turboprop aeroplanes under the Rural Air Services (RAS) framework. 

The negative reactions to AirBorneo’s newly-announced launch fares are premature in nature as our airline has yet to begin operations officially. I have also stressed that the ticket prices must remain sustainable for the airline to operate. The planes have not even taken off yet and people are already complaining. Give it a chance.

Our media friends are keen to my response to the complaints from travellers and industry players, who felt the fares were too high and needed reviewing to better support domestic mobility and tourism growth. I have mentioned that fare-setting in the aviation industry involves multiple considerations and cannot be lowered excessively at the expense of operational viability.

There is no point to bring down the fare right up to the minimum until AirBorneo so called unable to operate. There has to be a balance. The pricing also needed to consider the wider aviation ecosystem and ensure that AirBorneo’s rates do not unintentionally drive away other airlines serving Sarawak. We have to balance it out with our fellow airlines. If we lower it to the point that other airlines run away and no longer want to come to Sarawak, it will be a loss. When everybody wants to use AirBorneo then the one who will suffer will be us too.

There had been online complaints regarding routes such as Sibu–Kota Kinabalu and Sibu–Kuching, where some travellers felt fares of over RM200 were “too high” but in real life perceptions of affordability differ among passengers. What is the ideal price? Is it RM100? RM200? RM250? It depends. To some, RM200-plus might be okay. To others, it might not be okay. It’s very difficult to satisfy everybody.

I have reiterated that public judgement over whether the fares are low or high remains “very, very subjective”, adding that affordability varies between income groups.

That is why I say whether the fare is low or not is very, very subjective. For businessmen, RM250, that is peanuts to them. Maybe for farmers, RM250 might not be. Our public should be patient and to allow the system time to stabilise. Let us wait for the system to settle, the plane to be there, then after a while the price will get adjusted by itself.

Over 5,000 attended the official opening of "Civil Service Day 2025" at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching

Over 5,000 members of Sarawak's civil service had joined this year's "Civil Service Day" which was held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) that was officiated by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg.

It was a delightful event where our civil servants from all government ministries, agencies and departments had gathered together to hear for themselves the various speeches delivered by the Federal Chief Secretary, our honourable State Secretary of Sarawak and the guest of honour, the Premier of Sarawak.

Our esteemed premier had expressed his appreciation to the state and Federal civil service members, describing them as the backbone in realizing Sarawak's development policies.

Among the other key points that he had mentioned were on the importance of continuing commitment of government officials, especially in the education and health sectors, enables critical issues like dilapidated schools and the role of the Health Department to be addressed effectively through close cooperation between state and Federal levels. The transformation and adaptation of Sarawak's civil service had proven itself capable of adapting to ongoing transformation agendas, particularly regarding digitalization and efficient fund management. 

In achieving the lean government model, we need to progress in the digitalization and organized fiscal governance which are important pillars in ensuring our government's administration is more efficient, responsive, and not burdensome.

 

Delightful time at the recent "WAK 2025" appreciation dinner & looking forward to achieving 5 million tourists in 2025

We had a delightful evening at the recent “We Are Kindred Festival (WAK 2025) Appreciation Dinner” which was held at Theatre Hotel Kuching. Also present during the dinner were the list of supporters and collaborators of this year’s WAK event which had various exciting activities as well as programs held in Kuching, Sibu and Miri. In my speech, I described the festival as an important catalyst in Sarawak's creative industry, fostering innovation, cultural exploration, and collaboration among our multi-racial community. The expansion of WAK events to Sarawak’s central and northern regions had highlighted the growing interest in arts and creativity across our state. 

On another note, I have highlighted the importance of support and collaboration from both government agencies, private sector and non governmental organizations (NGOs) in making this year's WAK a huge success and attracted the attention of our local folks.

With the staging of colourful events in Sarawak, we are able to attract visitors from domestic and international sectors which in return contributing the tourism receipts that had breached the RM1 billion mark in October 2025. The tourism receipt had also showed Sarawak's positive momentum of consistently achieving over RM1 billion every month since January 2025. 

Our visitors' number had also reached 414, 225 people in October and those from the international sector had reached 212,250 people.

We are also optimistic for Sarawak to reach its target of five million tourists by the end of 2025 and the state government will continue to strengthen our position as a premier destination through the organizing of high-impact events, aggressive promotions and development of new tourism products to woo visitors.

“Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival 2025 (SFCF2025)” will be held from 21 to 29 November at Desa Ilmu Market Place in Kota Samarahan

The much awaited “Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival 2025 (SFCF2025)” will be held from 21 to 29 November at the Desa Ilmu Market Place in Kota Samarahan and the organisers are optimistic for it to become a signature tourism event which is capable of attracting visitors from across Samarahan and other divisions including Kuching. I have mentioned this to our media friends during the recent press conference held at Majlis Perbandaran Kota Samarahan (MPKS) and for a festival of this scale, the organisers may achieve around 250,000 visitors which is possible since it is bringing together Samarahan’s rich food and cultural heritage in a 10-day showcase.

The annual event would feature various traditional dishes and cultural elements from Malay, Iban, Bidayuh, Bugis, Jawa and Chinese communities which will be a crowd puller considering Samarahan’s position as a residential and education hub. 

The festival is aimed to introduce the uniqueness of food and culture found in Samarahan. With so many ethnic groups here, the festival can feature traditions rarely seen elsewhere. Thus, the event also offers families a chance to enjoy different dishes without needing to cook at home throughout the festival period.

With support from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and local agencies, we believe the event will reflect Samarahan’s local identity and strengthen community participation. There will be nightly cultural performances would include Malay ‘bermukun’, ‘bertandak’ and ‘kompang’, Iban ‘gendang pampat’, Bugis cultural items and Chinese traditional arts. Cultural groups from Kelantan, Kedah and Melaka under UNIMAS’ cultural units would also be featured throughout the festival. Popular singers from Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia — including Baby Shima, Baggio Damasutra, Mawat, Rickie Andrewson and Winnie Albert — would further enliven the event.

The public are invited to join the event which will enable them to see cultural elements beyond Sarawak through the participation of groups from Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. These cultural performances will help broaden cultural appreciation and strengthen Samarahan’s role as a gathering point for different traditions.

There are a number of exciting side activities which include Samarahan Idol, Fun Run, Cooking Competition, Pineapple Arrangement Contest, Aerobathon Challenge, Battle of the Bands and a three-hour Non-Stop Zumba session. The festival would also provide business opportunities for local food vendors and young entrepreneurs to expand their business exposure and develop their interest in food-based industries.