Supporting our Federal Government's proposed tourism investment zones under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP)

Recently I was asked to comment by our media friends on the proposed tourism investment zones announced by the right honourable Prime Minister under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and our Sarawak Government will fully support such efforts but the important thing is that there is no overlap in the undertaking. This is because is the tourism investment zones mentioned shall include areas like Mulu National Park, Niah Caves, the Kuching Geo Delta Park and the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF)…then we are indirectly on the same track. 

I have also mentioned that we have not been formally briefed on its implementation and is awaiting clarification from the Federal Government over the proposed special tourism investment zones that would be located in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Sarawak. The zones are also said to be jointly developed by the respective state governments and private sector in conjunction with Visa Malaysia 2026.

But we are ready to cooperate and I have mentioned that Sarawak’s current tourism strategy had already been proven to be successful, with tourism receipts have exceeded RM1 billion every month with the targeted 5 million visitors had more or less achieved by end of this year. Sarawak on its part had already been actively promoting many of its destinations even without the “imaginary zoning” and we will continue it as part of our state’s current tourism strategy this year.

Thanking ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation for having Kuching as their destination of this year's "Youth EdXchange Programme 2025"

We thank both the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation for having selected Kuching as one of the destinations for participants of this year's "Youth EdXchange Programme 2025" under their "ASEAN Empowering Youth Across ASEAN (EYAA)" programme. 

A total of 60 delegates from all 10 ASEAN countries including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are taking part in the two-day programme in Kuching.

While in the city, they were exposed to Sarawak’s environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and youth-led innovation in sustainable development. I was given the honour to represent the right honourable Premier of Sarawak at the closing ceremony of the programme. 

At the closing ceremony, I have mentioned that our young generation is the nation's most important asset for the future and also for the present days.We hope the participants had enjoyed experiences throughout the exchange programme from local community immersion to sustainability workshops and project pitching.

Their active participation are proof that when young people are empowered and given the platform, they will rise and lead with a purpose. We welcome the organising of the international programme which provides a platform for young people to connect with ASEAN youths through environmental education, sustainability, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Celebrating Sarawak's Women Day 2025 on modest scale

This year’s Women Day celebration in Sarawak was held on a modest scale and it was launched by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg who was joined by over 4,500 guests who attended the ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of State Legislative Assembly Building at Petra Jaya in Kuching. 

During the launching ceremony, our Premier had announced that Sarawak will be the first state in Malaysia to set up a diversity, equality and inclusivity unit known as “D2EI” in short for Department of Diversity, Equality, Equity and Inclusivity under the state’s Department of Women and Family Development. Our Premier had mentioned that the D2EI principles are in line with his administration’s post-Covid-19 development strategy, which emphasises inclusivity in our multi-racial communities.

Among the highlights in this year’s celebration had included the Premier of Sarawak Awards that had acknowledged the recipients for their commitment to inclusive leadership and gender equity in the workplace. Sarawak Energy Berhad had received the Special D2EI Responsive Organisation Award its leadership in fostering diversity, equality, equity and inclusivity through their Sarawak Energy Leading Women Network (SELWN), which supports women’s advancement into leadership and decision-making roles.

Chairing the special board meeting of Sarawak Sports Corporation

Recently I had chaired the special board meeting of the Sarawak Sports Corporation which was held at Hilton Hotel and among the agendas were to discuss administrative matters and the direction of the state's sports development so that it will be more strategic and inclusive.

We also had a brief appreciation ceremony for all board members who had served with us for the past 3 years from 2022 to 2025. As chairman of the board, I have expressed gratitude and appreciation to all board members for their unwavering commitment and contributions in strengthening sports development in Sarawak. The dedication and wisdom of our board members had been the cornerstone of the success of Sarawak Sports Corporation and Sarawak State Sports Council over the past three years.

Over 300 had participated in the inaugural Sarawak International Conference on Youth Mental Health

The organising of the inaugural Sarawak International Conference on Youth Mental Health 2025 by Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) together with Institute For Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) is part of our government’s commitment to supporting the mental, emotional, and social well-being of the young generation. 

I have mentioned these during the closing ceremony of the conference which ended on July 29 at The Waterfront Hotel Kuching and had pointed out that mental health cannot be treated in isolation but must be approached holistically by addressing the external systems that influence youth development. I had urged all parties concerned for a cultural shift in how society addresses youth mental wellness—from silence and stigma to proactive support and inclusion. The two-day conference had attracted over 300 participants from all walks of life including students. 

This is because we are living in the digital era in which youth mental health is increasingly subjected to pressures from various factors that had forced our young people to navigate the complex world which is full of academic pressure, economic and employment uncertainty, breakdown in family structures, and sadly, limited access to support systems from relevant bodies.

It is alarming for us to know that according to recent global reports, one in five adolescents is estimated to struggle with mental health issues including in Malaysia whereby the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) in recent years had shown a worrying increase in depression, anxiety, and stress levels among youths as well as those in Sarawak.

What we need to address is the problem of many youths who suffer in silence are willing to seek help, but the help they most needed is either inaccessible, unaffordable, or stigmatised such as in rural and marginalised areas, mental health services remain difficult to get. Even in urban areas, young people often lack the convenience, the confidence, or the safe space to voice their mental health problems.

Thus, the organising of the conference is timely and essential as mental health is fundamentally a development issue. We must be committed to equipping our youths to become the next generation of leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and capable change makers. As such, we must begin by ensuring their mental resilience, emotional well-being and psychological safety.”

Efforts to organise similar conference is encouraged because it serves more than just a discussion platform, but also as a catalyst for change—inspiring new perspectives, fostering impactful connections, and showing our deep commitment to prioritising youth mental health in all areas of development.