Abd Karim refutes dearth of youth in cabinet

August 25, 2019

KUCHING: The Sarawak cabinet has a ‘youth element’ as Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan is a youth leader, says Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abdul Karim said there was no reason to be disappointed that there was no new youth representation in the reshuffled line-up announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Thursday.

“I think what has been said and discussed on social media is not what actually happened because when we look at the Youth and Sports Ministry, my assistant is a youth leader. It means there is a youth element in the cabinet,” he said when commenting on views posted on social media.

Sarawak Matta Fair returns with more offers

August 24, 2019

Abdul Karim (third right) joins Mohd Akil, on his right, and others in posing for a group photo at the opening ceremony.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair is back, happening at Boulevard Shopping Mall until Aug 25, from 10am to 10pm daily.

This year’s event promises a host of exciting holiday and tourism deals to visitors.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the fair remains the best platform for promoting attractive destinations in Sarawak.

Visit Sarawak Campaign Year a success — Minister

August 20, 2019

KUCHING: Looking at the number of people coming to Saarwak due to the many events run all year round, the Visit Sarawak Campaign Year could be considered successful, opined Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“I would say it’s successful – it is not just numbers that is important; when people are happy and satisfied, they feel that their money is well spent… It is the feel-good feeling.

“You can see from January 2019 until today, where this year is our Visit Sarawak Campaign (launched on Dec 31 last year), we have something going on every month. There have been so many events throughout the year, including those at the international level,” he said during the press conference on ‘Best of Asean Designers 2019’ (BOAD2019) – an international fashion festival that would take place here this Sept 6-8.

‘S’wak a good destination for creative pursuits’

August 20, 2019

Abdul Karim, flamked by Hii (seated, third left) and Ng, joins (seated, from left) Lai, Sharzede, Liyu and Ling in a photo-call with the models and designers taking part in BOAD2019.

KUCHING: The state government wants to promote Sarawak as a destination for creative pursuits, says Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He points out that while it may not be the fashion capital of Asean and neither will it be a commercial hub, Sarawak can become be a destination for creative pursuits like those related to the arts, crafts and fashion.

“We are trying to promote Sarawak as a city that has life, heritage. We are very proud of the heritage, culture and apart from that, the types of tourists who will come in are good tourists – those who are able to appreciate arts and culture.

Kuching to woo tourists as city of art and culture, says Sarawak tourism minister

August 19, 2019

Abdul Karim (seated, centre), Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary Hii Chang Kee (seated third left) Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh (seated second left) and AFDS members posed with some of the models who will be participating in BOAD2019.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Government wants to promote Kuching as a destination for creative pursuits in arts, crafts and fashion, said Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister said with the move, the state would be able to attract tourists who have an appreciation for art and culture.

“We are trying to promote Sarawak as a city that has got life, heritage.”

Sarawak to benefit from relocation of Indonesia’s capital to Kalimantan – Abdul Karim

August 18, 2019

Abdul Karim (second right), Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (third left) and others flagging off the 2019 Kuching Marathon’s full marathon categories at Padang Merdeka, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg here today.

KUCHING: Sarawak would benefit from the relocation of Indonesia’s capital to Kalimantan, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“Definitely Sarawak is in a position to gain benefit from the relocation exercise as the new capital of Indonesia will be move to the same island as our state,” said Abdul Karim after flagging off the 2019 Kuching Marathon’s full marathon categories at Padang Merdeka, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg here today.

On Friday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo formally proposed to the parliament to move the country’s existing capital Jakarta, which is located on the Jawa Island, to Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.

Galeri: Official launching of STATOS by Abang Johari

 August 18, 2019

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg cuts a ribbon to officially launch Statos (Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore). He is flanked by deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (third right). -TheBoreoPost

Abdul Karim: Efforts underway to increase flight connectivity between Singapore and Sarawak

August 18, 2019

KUCHING: Efforts are underway to increase flight connectivity between Singapore and Sarawak in the future, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“We are currently in negotiation to arrange for more flight connectivity to Kuching and other cities in the state (from Singapore),” said Abdul Karim after flagging off the 2019 Kuching Marathon’s full marathon categories at Padang Merdeka, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg here today.

He said that the matter regarding increasing flight connectivity between Singapore and Sarawak was mentioned by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the latter’s visit to Singapore to officially launch the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) on Saturday.

Five AirAsia aircraft display Visit Sarawak ads

August 14, 2019

Abdul Karim shows his approval for the advertisements on the overhead compartments. Sharzede is behind him.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has taken out Visit Sarawak Campaign advertisements on the overhead luggage compartments of five AirAsia aircraft for a year.

A press release yesterday said through the collaborative effort with AirAsia and Laduni Services Sdn Bhd, the overhead cabin compartments will prominently display Sarawak as a destination full of life, vibrancy, and excitement by showcasing various attractions of culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah officiated at a signing ceremony for the collaboration at the Kuching International Airport yesterday.

WAK attracts 56 creative groups staging 99 events

August 11, 2019

Abdul Karim hits a drum to reveal WAK 2019 calendar. Also seen from left are Hii, Tan and Sharzede (fourth left).

KUCHING: Locals and visitors can look forward to many activities at What About Kuching (WAK) 2019 from Sept 28 to Oct 27.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the unique festival driven by the community for the community is a true partnership between the public and private sectors exemplifying our cohesiveness as Sarawakians with passionate creative talents coming together to stage exciting events for a growing local and visiting audience.

“The third edition of WAK is the largest with 56 creative groups staging 99 different events with a total of 315 daily activities.

Minister: Aquarium behind Natural History Museum to be expanded

August 10, 2019

KUCHING: The aquarium behind the Natural History Museum of the newly-completed Sarawak Museum Complex here will be expanded to showcase the fish species of Sarawak.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the aquarium may not be above average in size or extent, but it should be able to showcase the various aquatic vertebrates of Sarawak.

“Behind the Natural History Museum, we have an aquarium which will be part of the entire Sarawak Museum Complex.

Abdul Karim: Ahmad Lai’s passing a huge loss to Sarawak, PBB

August 09, 2019

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has termed the passing of former Sibuti MP Datuk Ahmad Lai Bujang as a huge loss to Sarawak.

The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president said he could not be more shocked to learn about the news this morning.

“I knew Datuk Ahmad Lai. I was very close to him. I was shocked to learn about his passing. My deepest condolences to his family,” he said when met by journalists at the new Sarawak Museum Complex here today.

Entrance fees to be imposed on visitors to new Sarawak Museum, will be cheaper for locals

August 09, 2019

Abdul Karim with others take a tour of the new Sarawak Museum. 

KUCHING: Like other museums across the globe, the new Sarawak Museum Complex is expecting payment from visitors, both locals and international.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the State Cabinet had not decided on the entrance fees.

“Looking at what we are doing now, making it (Sarawak Museum) parallel with how all the other museums in the world are being done, it is very, very costly.

Abdul Karim: New Sarawak Museum Complex to be officially open to the public by end of next year

August 09, 2019

The new Sarawak Museum Complex cost RM323 million to build.

KUCHING: The new Sarawak Museum Complex, the largest in Malaysia and second largest in Southeast Asia, has been completed and handed over to the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak and Museum Department Sarawak.

Witnessing the handover ceremony held at the complex here today was Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The new museum was designed and completed with 21st century facilities and amenities.

‘Majority of youths happy with state administration’

August 09, 2019

Abdul Karim right shows the the report of the Sarawak Youth Index survey at the press conference.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Youth Index survey carried out by the Institut Penyelidikan Pembangunan Belia Malaysia (IYRES) shows that the majority of youths in Sarawak are happy with the present state administration.

One of the reasons, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah claimed, was that they were very passionate about the state’s rights.

He believed that this passion went across the board, be they Chinese, the Malays or Dayaks.

Talented youth in music, arts can apply for financial aid

August 09, 2019

KUCHING: Youth in Sarawak who want to go higher in the fields of arts and music can now apply for financial assistance from the Sarawak Youth Venture Fund.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Sarawak government had allocated RM5 million for the purpose.

The fund is meant for youths aged 15 to 40 years, be they individuals, teams or associations specialising in any discipline of arts and culture.

Ministry to consider Sibu-Singapore direct flight

August 05, 2019

Abdul Karim holds a saxophone during a photo-call with Hii (left), Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman Robert Lau (right), Gracie (fourth right) and others.

SIBU: The highly-requested Sibu-Singapore direct flight will be given due consideration, says Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He points out that with the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office now open in Singapore, the time is right to consider the request.

“It is probably a good time to consider (the request) but then, we will need a lot of discussions on this,” he told reporters after the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) showcase at a hotel here on Saturday night.

S’wak looks to woo more China visitors in 2020

August 5, 2019

Abdul Karim is joined by tour operators from China in this photo call. Lee and Hii are at third right and second right respectively.

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is confident of attracting more tourists and investors from China to Sarawak next year, following a recent working visit to Chengdu, China where various collaborations were discussed with Chinese counterparts.

Among the meetings held by the state delegation led by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, was a courtesy call on China Express Air vice president Henry Ke Qiu.

Abdul Karim in a statement issued by his ministry said the meeting ended with promising results with the possible joint collaborations between the Sarawak government and China Express Air before the end of the year.