My comments on label for Sarawak as one of the 6 poorest states in Malaysia

I have chided our Economy Minister, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli who had listed Sarawak as one of the 6 poorest states in Malaysia including Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis. I was interviewed by our local media friends on this matter after Sarawak together with other “poorest states” were warned not to expect allocations from the Federal Government alone. 

According to the learned Datuk Seri Rafizi, efforts to narrow the poverty gap is a shared responsibility that must be shouldered by the respective state governments in order to attract investment and business. He had also mentioned that the allocation to the 6 poorest states in our country which hd been maintained is much more than others. 

Of course it is not right to put Sarawak as one of the poorest states in Malaysia simply because we have billions of ringgit in our coffers and not forgetting the rich natural resources which we posses that had not been fully discovered nor tapped. I have mentioned that probably such label was based on the large number of “e-kasih” applicants which had been registered in Sarawak previously and that the relevant authorities should revisit such registration.

Nevertheless, Sarawak has a lot of rural folks who are actively involved in agriculture and its downstream activities but what they are lacking is the documentary proofs of their monthly earnings from such economic activities. I have mentioned that there are kampung folks in the Asajaya constituency who have earned up to RM10,000 monthly but they do not have “salary slips” to prove their lucrative earnings from working on their lands and farms. Some can even earned RM5,000 a month which is far more than the average full time wage earners and sadly these farmers do not have “salary slips” to prove their monthly incomes.

Over 3,000 of our folks expected to join the forthcoming "Juh Berambeh Sungkei" organised by Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) together with Kelab Belia Proaktif

Over 3,000 people are expected to attend the large-scale iftar (breaking of fast) event which will be held on 15 March at Padang Merdeka in Kuching. The "Juh Berambeh Sungkei" event is organised by Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) together with Kelab Belia Proaktif which aims to   celebrate Sarawak's unity and diversity by bringing people from various backgrounds together.

This event is not a religious event but a breaking of fast event that reflects Sarawak's spirit of inclusivity, mutual respect and understanding. I have mentioned this during the press conference and although fasting is a religious obligation for Muslims during Ramadan, we know that many of our friends who are not Muslims sometimes join in fasting. It is not wrong for us to hold a breaking of fast gathering for all. Thus, the event has the dual themes of "Iftar in Unity" and "Youth in Sustainability".

Also present during the press conference was Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau, the director at Unit for Other Religions (Unifor). With the support of Unifor, this event will stand as a shining example of Sarawak's commitment to religious harmony and social cohesion because our folks from all faiths were welcome to attend.

The event will also feature sustainability initiatives, including solar charging stations, plastic bottle collection for recycling, and food waste collection. Although we come from different racial and religious backgrounds, we can sit down and eat together. This youth-led initiative shows that unity and harmony begin at a young age.

Wishing "Selamat Berpuasa" to all Muslims in Sarawak and Malaysia

I take this opportunity to wish all Muslims "Selamat Berpuasa" and may our fasting will be well received by Allah Subhanahuwataala  I also expressed hope for all Muslims in Sarawak and our country take advantage of the blessed month to strengthen friendships and help those in need.

The forthcoming 28th Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 (RWMF2025) expected to woo 30,000 crowd

This year’s Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF2025) is targeting 30,000 attendees and the legendary “Earth, Wind & Fire” (EWF) band will be among the international acts who will be performing at Sarawak Cultural Village from June 20 to 22. The seven-time Grammy Award winner guitarist Al McKay is bringing the legendary band’s timeless groove to the RWMF2025 which is entering its 28th edition.

I thanked Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) for having invited me to the official announcement and press conference which was held at the Theatre Hotel in Jalan Song Thian Cheok, Kuching. This year’s festival has the theme called “Connections: One Earth, One Love’’ that showcases the significance in celebrating the power of music to unite cultures and bridge traditions, while reinforcing a commitment to environmental sustainability.

It would also showcase an unparalleled fusion of world-class talents and indigenous artistry, featuring three outstanding headliners namely the ‘The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay’, Otyken from Siberia, Russia, and Sarawak’s very own At Adau, alongside 170 performers from 20 other countries. There will be the “Otyken, an indigenous band, offers an immersive musical experience rooted in Siberian traditions with their throat singing blends, tribal rhythms, and folk instruments with modern electronic elements.

Revellers will also be entertained by local acts including “At Adau” band which was established in 2014. It fuses traditional Sape melodies with tribal percussion from Borneo’s diverse ethnic groups, blending heritage with contemporary world music. Local musical talents such as “Buloh Berkocak”, Dee Jay, Matthew Ngau’s “Wind & Earth”, Meruked, and Naungan will be representing both eastern and western regions of Malaysia.

The other International acts will include “Gaga Gundul” (France and Indonesia), “Kuntaw Mindano” (Philippines), “Kulāiwi” (Hawaii, USA), “La Chiva Gantiva” (Colombia and Belgium), “Manhu” (China), “N’famady Kouyaté” (Guinea and United Kingdom), among others.

On another related matter, the festival this year would be expanded beyond the traditional festival grounds to Damai Central, transforming it into a vibrant public space featuring free arts, crafts, and wellness activities. In line with its sustainability effort, the RWMF2025, in its commitment to a long-term carbon offset initiative aimed to plant 10,000 trees to coincide with RWMF’s 30th anniversary in 2027 in which a portion of ticket sales would go to support such efforts.

There will dedicated recycling points, waste separation initiatives, and sustainable waste management throughout the festival will be provided to reduce waste and provide eco-stations. Free water refill stations will also be provided,” he said, adding that a strict ban would be imposed on the use of disposable plastics at the event.

Among other initiatives include 20 shuttle services to reduce carbon emissions and the use of eco-friendly products and biodegradable tableware.

Early bird ticket sales would be made available from March 8 to 21 – with three-day passes at RM635, RM 765 (pre-sale) and RM835 (door sale); one-day pass is RM235 (early bird), RM283 (pre-sale), and RM333 (door sale). Children’s pass (for those aged three to 12) is priced at RM80, while those under three can enter for free.

Special discounts are also available for bulk purchases during the pre-sale period. Groups purchasing between 10 to 30 tickets would receive a special rate of RM266 per adult for a one-day pass, while those who purchased more than 30 tickets would receive an even lower rate of RM250 per adult.

Opening ceremony of 64th Sarawak level Al-quran Recitation & Hafazan ceremony by Premier of Sarawak

The opening of the 64th Sarawak Level Quran Recitation and Hafazan ceremony was graced by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg at the Kota Samarahan Civic Hall. In his speech, our premier had urged the Muslim community in Sarawak to continue to defend religious principles which are the main pillars of human prosperity to ensure that the state's prosperity and harmony are maintained.

He had explained on the principles which are in line with the content of the verse in Surah Al-Imran, which emphasizes the five main principles of Muslim life. According to him, the holy verses had also demand for us Muslims to follow five principles of our lives, among which is defending our religion. Because these are pillars that prosper humanity. In addition, Muslims also need to maintain a pattern of life, especially from a social and equity perspective, because it involves relationships between human beings.

He had also commended the organisers for organising the event which had attracted 45 participants, namely 12 qari and 11 qariah as well as 15 male memorisation participants and seven female memorisation participants from all over Sarawak. Also present during the opening ceremony were our State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and President of the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) Datuk Misnu Taha as well as other local dignitaries.