Leading a week-long working visit to Australia together with officials from Ministry of Youth, Sports & Entrepreneur Development (MYSED)

A delegation from #Sarawak led by myself have safely landed at Sydney, Australia for a week-long working visit to several well known sports facilities and stadiums in this country world famous for its Kangaroos and tourists’ attraction as the “Land Down Under”. 

The first sports facility which we had visited was the Sydney Cricket Grounds located at Moore Park suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The facilities available here are fantastic and equipped with state of the art facilities for the organizing various world-class cricket events. 

It is used for the Test series, One Day International and Twenty20 cricket event. The cricket ground is also the avenue for Australian rules football, rugby league and Australia association football tourneys. It is the home ground for the New South Wales Cricket Team, the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Swans of the Australian Football League. It is owned and operated by Venues NSW which is an agency of the government of New South Wales. The Stadium Australia and Sydney Football Stadium are also among the sports facilities and stadiums found in NSW.

Joining the merry making at "Majlis Langgar Meja & Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri" at Subis district of Bekenu, Miri

The month of Syawal is over but our folks are still in the Hari Raya mood including those in Subis district of Bekenu, Miri. I had the privilege of having being invited as guest of honour to grace the recent “Majlis Langgar Meja & Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri 2025” at Arena Sibuti, Bekenu over the weekend. I have commended our folks in Subis who comprised of different ethnicities including those from Kedayan, Jati Miriek, Melanau, Iban, Malay and Chinese communities. 

Also present during the event was Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports & Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED), Datuk Hajah Rosey Yunus Deputy Minister of Women, Family, Welfare, Community Wellbeing and Development Sarawak who is also the state assembly woman for Bekenu as well as Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni, the Federal Minister of Health who is member of parliament for Sibuti. 

Thumbs up to Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) for their role and contribution to local tourism industry

I have commended our Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) which has delivered a number of meaningful initiatives that reflect its ongoing commitment to the local tourism industry. STF together with the leadership of its president, Audrey Wan Ullok had supported and provided valuable insights and feedback on the ground to guide policy and growth. The federation had organised many events and initiatives that had served as good platforms for unity, advocacy and progress.

STF which is celebration its 21st anniversary had made it possible for local and foreign visitors to take up exciting holiday packages which included guided cultural tours, stays in longhouses or glamping tents, and access to a wide range of experiences, including visiting traditional longhouses and more.

We also commended STFwho is planning to organise town hall sessions with tourism players and ministries, creating space for dialogue and idea-sharing because STF believe real progress begins with real conversations. such activities are all designed to strengthen our ecosystem, deepen our partnerships, and ensure that no voice is left unheard. 

As the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, I have stressed to STF many times to speak up and bring to his attention any issues the members may have. We are always there to make time and listening to such feedbacks while offering amicable solutions. Recently we were invited to STF’s anniversary dinner held at Imperial Hotel in Kuching and the swinging “70s” theme was simply entertaining.

Wooing more foreign visitors by staging musical concerts featuring popular entertainers of the world

There was a buzz of excitement among our local folks on the news reports that there are ongoing negotiations to bring a well-known artist from the United States for an exclusive performance in Kuching this October. I have mentioned such possibilities in a recent interview with our media friends from TVS and the fact that staging large-scale concerts has had a positive impact on Sarawak's tourism sector, attracting visitors from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Brunei.

Kuching and Miri have now become major attractions for foreign tourists, who visit not only for entertainment but also to enjoy the tourism products offered in Sarawak. If an event is held in Kuching, particularly if it involves singers or performers well-known in neighbouring countries, we can see a significant increase in the number of vehicles entering Sarawak from the border. 

For example, during the 2025 countdown event held at Kuching Waterfront, the Immigration Department, Customs Department, Quarantine and Security Complex in Tebedu, Serian had experienced congestion for three consecutive days. This is because visitors from West Kalimantan, Indonesia came to know that Hetty Koes Endang, the well known Indonesian performer would be performing at the year end countdown event.  

The popular and evergreen band “Earth, Wind and Fire” from USA will also be performing at the forthcoming Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025 at the Sarawak Culture Village in Pantai Damai, Santubong on 22 to 22 June. Nevertheless, it is also important to feature our local artists in every major event as a way to build their self confidence and strengthen the talents of the local creative industry so that it can leverage on the big names in the world entertainment industry.

Recently I took the time to attend the much talked about "Concert Pelangi Nidji Di Kuching" which was held at Sarawak Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya, Kuching. The "Nidji" band is popular in Indonesia and had performed in Miri City last year at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club to the delight of their fans from Sarawak, Brunei Darulsalam and Kalimantan Indonesia.

We thanked the organisers for having featured a number of local singers in their recent concert including popular bands from West Malaysia which had served as opening acts that that won the hearts of the 3,000 concert goers.

 

Having the privilege and honour to represent Premier of Sarawak for official launch of he iconic "Pesta Kaul Mukah"

I had the privilege to represent our right honourable Premier of Sarawak for the official launching of this year's "Pesta Kaul Mukah" which was held at Pantai Kala Dana in Mukah Division. The seaside festival is a well known event in our state's tourism calendar of events and had attracted thousands of visitors from all over Sarawak including foreign tourists. 

The organising of the annual event not only strengthens the cultural heritage of the Melanau community, but also has a positive impact on the tourism sector and the local economy. The festival also provide ample opportunities for small entrepreneurs, promotes local products and introduces Mukah as a unique tourist destination to visitors from home and abroad.

It is a cultural heritage of the Melanau community that is rich in symbolic, customary and spiritual values and one of the symbols of the identity as well as self-respect of the Melanau community. At the same time, it is a strong testament to the richness and diversity of the culture of Sarawak which is well known for the everlasting peace and harmony among the people from various background and ethnicities.