Visit Sarawak 2019 - Calendar of Tourism Events

Revival of Brunei-Kuching flight will strengthen bilateral ties – Minister

December 30, 2018

Abdul Karim (centre) leads the cake-cutting ceremony to mark the revival of RBA’s Kuching-Brunei flight. With him are (from second left) STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor, ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, Aeberli and Brunei Consul General in Kuching, Mohammad Kamaluddin.

KUCHING: The ties between Brunei and Sarawak will be strengthened further with the revival of the Kuching-Brunei route by Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA).

In stating this, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said all this while, Sarawak had been looking left (to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur) for transit flights.

“Now, there is an alternative venue (Brunei) and the tourism packages being offered by RBA are very, very good,” he said at a luncheon to commemorate the flight’s arrival here yesterday.

Abd Karim on why Sarawak’s cultural heritage must be preserved

December 29, 2018

Karim (right) in a photo with Peluk Apeh, one of the last five remaining ring ladies of Kampung Semban.

KUCHING, Dec 29: Protecting and preserving Sarawak’s diverse and unique cultural heritage for the next generation is a collective responsibility of everyone, including the state government, leaders of both political divide, community leaders and people, in general.

In highlighting this, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth, and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah warned that a tradition and heritage could easily die and be lost if they were not properly preserved and protected.

“I hope to see more efforts by all quarters in this society in ensuring the cultural heritage in Sarawak will not be swallowed up as modernisation changed the way we live and the city continues to grow,” he told a press conference to introduce ‘The Last Ring Ladies’ produced by NG Picture at the Old Courthouse here today.

al-Fatihah untuk Allahyarham Awangku Omar Pengiran Jawa

December 27, 2018

Awangku Omar was ‘a very kind man, that is why his demise, we feel the loss so much’.

-Minister of Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

Galeri: Henry Jinep's Christmas open house

December 27, 2018

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, flanked by Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep on his right and Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Minister of Tourism Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and other guests at at Henry’s Christmas open house.

Galeri: Aloysius' Christmas open house

December 27, 2018

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg with Sarawak Unity Foundation (SUF) chief executive Datu Aloysius J. Dris (third right), Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and  Datu Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah (right) together with Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Datin Teresa Bateman (sixth right), Welfare, Community Well-Being,  Women, Family and Childhood Education Minister,Dato Seri Fatimah Abdullah (seventh right) and the rest of the guests at Aloysius' Christmas open house at Kasuma Resort.

Abdul Karim: Sarawak going for quality tourists

December 21, 2018

KUCHING: Sarawak prefers quality tourists to quantity, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He described quality tourists as those who spend at least four days in the state. He said unlike before, Sarawak has started to see increasing number of quality arrivals, who spent four to five days in the state.

“Before, we had one million visitors from Brunei coming to Sarawak every year, but many of them were more or less weekend visitors, who came to Miri for a day trip.

Fascinating entertainment for New Year countdown

December 21, 2018

Abdul Karim speaks at a press conference. With him is Desmond Douglas Jerukan, Ministry of Tourism principal assistant secretary of planning and development section.

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is organising various interesting activities in conjunction with the New Year Countdown 2019 celebration and the launch of Visit Sarawak Campaign at Kuching Waterfront on Dec 31.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when announcing the event said the entertainment segment will start at 5pm, where members of the public will be entertained throughout the evening until after midnight with captivating activities such as fireworks display, musical water fountain and stage performances by national and local artistes.

He said other fascinating elements like water show, lighting up of the Darul Hana Bridge, 3D imaging and a video show from the Sarawak Tourism Board culminating with the fireworks display at the stroke of midnight are also not to be missed.

Music, fireworks and plenty of entertainment planned for New Year Countdown at Kuching Waterfront

December 20, 2018

Abdul Karim (right) speaking at the press conference, accompanied by Tourism Ministry principal assistant secretary of planning and development Desmond Douglas Jerukan.

KUCHING: The state government is organising various interesting activities in conjunction with the New Year Countdown 2019 celebrations and the launch of Visit Sarawak Campaign Kuching Waterfront on Dec 31.

Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the entertainment segment will start at 5pm, where members of the public will be entertained throughout the evening until after midnight with captivating activities such as a fireworks display, musical water fountain showcase and stage performances by national and local artistes.

He said other fascinating elements like a water show, lighting up of the Darul Hana Bridge, 3D imaging and a video show from the Sarawak Tourism Board culminating with the fireworks display at the stroke of midnight are also not to be missed.

Think of winning seats for GPS, PDP told

December 14, 2018

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (BPP) vice president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wished that Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) leaders think more of winning seats for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) rather than only about themselves.

He said PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing was trying to rock the boat when indicating that PDP would not only be reclaiming three seats – Pakan, Batu Danau and Bekenu – from PBB but also aiming to stake claim on two others held by other components of GPS.

“I fully agree (that Tiong is rocking GPS boat). I hope PDP and Tiong (also Bintulu MP) could think more towards winning for GPS than just for their own (PDP) only,” he said yesterday.

Dr Xavier told not to tamper with Sarawak, Sabah laws

December 13, 2018

SIBU: Federal Minister of Water, Land and Mineral Resources Dr Xavier Jayakumar has been told not to sweep aside laws practised in Sabah and Sarawak as stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday pointed out that Dr Xavier’s suggestion of combining the land codes of Sarawak and Sabah with that of Malaya into a single National Land Code reflects his ignorance and lack of sensitivity to the natives of Sabah and Sarawak, whose rights over Native Customary Land are ‘recognised’ by their Land Code but not in the National Land Code.

In this regard, he added that Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister (DCM)  Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas had correctly stopped and advised Dr Xavier on his inappropriate suggestion.

New routes will boost tourist arrivals in Sibu and Bintulu

December 8, 2018

SIBU: The newly introduced AirAsia’s KK-Sibu and KK-Bintulu sectors will result in an increase in the number of visitors to the two Sarawak towns in particular and the state in general besides making it easier for locals to fly to Sabah or overseas.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told reporters this when asked if the new sectors would boost tourist arrivals for Sibu and Bintulu.

He added: “This is something which Sibu/Bintulu residents as well as his ministry have been asking for a long time too.”

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, hoped that with the new sectors as well as the just launched Kuching-Tawau four weekly flights, these will further boost the number of visitors either way.

PBB veep wishes UPP ‘all the best’ in name, logo rebranding exercise

December 8, 2018

KUCHING: A Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leader wishes ‘all the best’ for United People’s Party (UPP) in whatever new name and logo that the latter wishes to choose.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also PBB vice-president, sees UPP leaders as those being truly committed to Sarawak, even though the party is not among the founding members of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“Although they’re not in GPS as a founding member, they subscribe to the same cause which GPS is fighting for,” he said in a statement yesterday.

UPP expects to unveil its new name and new logo at the opening ceremony of its extraordinary delegates conference (EDC) today, set to take place at the Thian Court of Crown Towers at Jalan Pending here.

AirAsia’s Tawau-Kuching route launched

December 6, 2018

Christina (seventh right) and Abdul Karim (eighth right) pose with AirAsia’s Kuching-Tawau route delegation. AirAsia yesterday launched Kuching-Tawau direct flight.

TAWAU: Visit Sarawak Year 2019 receives a boost with the opening of Tawau-Kuching route starting from December 02.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, in his speech during the official launching of the new route yesterday said it was also a win-win situation for both Sarawak and Sabah as the destinations are under the Borneo brand.

In addition to that, he was quoted by TheBorneoPost as saying the new route would further enhance the relationship between the two Malaysian states on Borneo Island.

Over 300 international delegates expected to attend 23rd ATA

December 5, 2018

Abdul Karim and ATA chairman Lee Keen Whye (seated, second left) are seen with members of the coordination teams.

KUCHING: Over 300 international delegates from the film and entertainment industry are expected to attend the 23rd Asian Television Awards (ATA) on Jan 11-13 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

A press release yesterday said they include the créme de la créme of film producers, directors, performers, host talents, judges, nominees, celebrities, and key sponsors from the participating countries all over Asia.

This event, organised by Asian Television Awards Sdn Bhd and fully supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, will be televised ‘live’ in 22 countries and is expected to be watched by two billion viewers.

Free Kuching tourist bus service soon

December 4, 2018

Abdul Karim (centre) witnesses the exchange of MoU documents between Khairuddin (second left) and Wong (second right). Also witnessing are Sabariah (right) and Haris Fadzilah. 

KUCHING: Tourists here can expect to enjoy the city’s tourist bus service next year.

This was disclosed by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who said the transportation provided specifically for tourists would be free.

“It should be (starting) next year and the bus would be using hydrogen fuel.

Free tourist bus for travelers visiting Kuching

December 3, 2018

Abdul Karim (centre) speaking during the press conference. Also seen are (from left) Wong, Sabariah, Khairuddin and Fadzilah. 

KUCHING: Tourists visiting Kuching may soon be able to board the city’s tourist bus starting next year.

This was revealed by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who said the transportation provided specifically for tourists will be free.

“It should be (starting) next year and the bus will be using hydrogen fuel.

Rakyat Sarawak sejati tidak akan khianati Sarawak - Abdul Karim

December 02, 2018

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata rakyat Sarawak sejati tidak akan mengkhianati atau menjadi pengkhianat kepada Sarawak.

Sama ada rakyat Sarawak itu pribumi, Melayu atau Cina katanya, mereka akan setia kepada negeri ini.

"Lihatlah penganjur-penganjur dan pemimpin-pemimpin Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) Sarawak, rata-rata adalah ahli parti komponen GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) yang 'dukacita' atau 'usahawan' yang tidak peduli siapa yang mentadbir negeri Sarawak.

"Mereka berharap boleh mendapat kontrak kerajaan persekutuan daripada kerajaan yang baharu.

Govt mulls new sports complex for Miri

December 2, 2018

Abdul Karim (third left) and other guests present a mock cheque to Matassan (second left) who represents the Miri Youth Association.

MIRI: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is considering building a new integrated sports complex here in view of the rising demand from Mirians, especially youths.

Its minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said his ministry will work out the best possible way to realise this as it looks for a suitable site and seeks funding.

“We will strive to make sure the dream of people in Miri to have an integrated sports complex here becomes a reality,” he said when launching the Miri City Beach Youth Festival 2018 at Luak Esplanade here on Friday.

Miri integrated sports complex soon a reality

December 1, 2018

Abdul Karim making a donation into the Tabung Pembangunan Belia box as a sign of support for the festival organiser during the launching ceremony. Also seen are Lee (left), Ting (third right) and Ripin on Ting’s right.

MIRI: The dream of youths in Miri to have an integrated sports complex in this resort city will soon become a reality.

In giving this assurance, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said his ministry will work out the best possible ways to help realise the dream, including finding a suitable site for the complex and seeking funds for it.

“We will work this out and make sure the dream of youths in Miri to have an integrated sports complex in this city becomes a reality,” said Abdul Karim in his officiating speech at the launching ceremony of Miri Beach Youth Festival at Luak Esplanade here yesterday evening.