Welcoming the staging of the qualifying round matches for the "International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's Under-19 World Cup Cricket 2025" on our shores.

Well done and congratulations to Sarawak Cricket Association (SCA) together with Malaysia Cricket Association (MCA) for having successfully brought the qualifying round matches for the "International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's Under-19 World Cup Cricket 2025" to our shores. 

The prestigious event is on from 18 to 28 January next year and Kuching City was given the honour to play host for some of the preliminary matches. This morning I was invited to chair the coordination meeting for the local organizing committee and was also invited to preside on the press conference with the local media fraternity at our office. 

A total of 10 of the 42 preliminary qualifying matches in next year's under-19 women cricket world cup will take place at the Borneo Cricket Ground, Petra Jaya Kuching. The preliminary round actions in Group C will feature teams from New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria and Samoa. 

Sarawak will receive extensive publicity throughout the duration of this world-class sporting event as all matches are broadcast live to more than 180 countries through the Star Sports channel and through the official platform and applications of the ICC.

Meeting our junior women Malaysia Games (SUKMA) cricket team

I had the opportunity to meet some of the athletes from our state cricket team who had competed in the recent 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMAXXI) which was held in Kuching last August. 

The athletes were invited to our office this morning in conjunction with the press conference to announce the organizing of the forthcoming "International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 Women's T20 Cricket World Cup 2025" to be held at the Borneo Cricket Ground, Petra Jaya in Kuching next year. 

The cricket event is one of the 37 sports contested in this year’s SUKMA and it was also the first time for it to be held outside of West Malaysia. We are sure our young folks especially those who are keen in cricket, are excited with the prospects of seeing the world under-19 women teams competing for the prestigious World Cup preliminary rounds here.

Listening to the keynote address by Dr Rima Hooja 4th Hornbill International Conference on Adventure and Eco-tourism 2024 (Hornbill-ICAE2024)

We were engrossed by the keynote address by the learned Dr Rima Hooja at the official opening ceremony of the 4th Hornbill International Conference on Adventure and Eco-tourism 2024 (Hornbill-ICAE2024) held at Pullman Hotel Miri.

Dr Hooja who was specially invited to speak at this year’s conference spoke on the interesting topic on “Learning From The Past And Innovating For The Future: The World’s Heritage And Sustainable Adventure & Ecotourism”.

Dr Hooja is presently the Director Emeritus, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum City Palace Jaipur, India and is also a well known archaeologist, historian, writer, heritage consultant with a PhD from Cambridge University, UK.

It was interesting to some of the issues mentioned such as on managing the development of adventure and ecotourism which had represented some of the most impactful forms of tourism in present day. Both are offering visitors immersive experiences in nature that can foster a deep appreciation for our planet’s biodiversity. Thus, wae need to work together responsibly to ensure that they do not compromise the very environments that nurture us.

Similar, we must be fully committed to developing a tourism sector that prioritises sustainability at every level perhaps via crafting policies, designing programs, and implementing strategies that allow tourism to flourish without jeopardising our ecological or cultural heritage. 

Giving the thumbs up to 4th Hornbill International Conference on Adventure & Eco-tourism 2024 (Hornbill-ICAE2024)

Today I had the privilege to represent our right honourable Premier of Sarawak for the official opening ceremony of the "4th Hornbill International Conference on Adventure and Eco-tourism" (Hornbill-ICAE2024) which was held at Pullman Hotel Miri.

I had to fly into Miri early in the morning and had arrived at the function venue just in time for the opening ceremony which was attended by local and international participants including researchers as well as academicians who had showcased their interesting projects in the mini development exhibition.

But of course it was our local handicrafts artisans and craftsmen who stole the limelight of the conference with the display of their unique rattan products as well as other traditional materials. 

I had also given the thumbs up to the organisers who included Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), University Putra Malaysia (UPM), PUTRA and of course with the strong support from our Sarawak Government. 

The theme for this year’s conference was “Sustainability in Adventure and Ecotourism: Bridging Theory and Practice” which also embodies the balance that we aim to achieve between the theoretical foundations of sustainability and the practical realities of adventure and ecotourism. It speaks to the heart of Sarawak’s journey as a steward of natural beauty and a leader in responsible tourism that can ensure bright future for all industry stakeholders.

Good turnout for the recent state coordination meeting for PEMADAM Sarawak

I have thanked Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali our Deputy Chairperson of Persatuan Mencegah Dadah Malaysia (PEMADA) Sarawak branch for chairing this morning’s meeting for the state coordination committee members on my behalf.

I am president of PEMADAM Sarawak and was unable to chair the coordination meeting because of my travelling engagement at the ongoing World Textile Conference 2024 in Baguio City of the Philippines.
Datuk Sharifah Hasidah is also our Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Law, MA63, and State-Federal Relations) and she had also conducted the press conference after the meeting was concluded. Our appreciation to all media friends who attended the press conference which had highlighted the use of “Instant Visual Drugs Detection Device” (IVDD) in our combat against substance abuse throughout Sarawak. There are a total of 50 units deployed by the Police and it costs our government almost RM1.5 million to acquire them.

Efforts to combat drug abuse among youths in Sarawak must be continued and we are indeed delighted with promising results, judging by the decline in the number of students testing positive for drugs. In fact, the number of cases involving the youths has dropped significantly to just 35 cases this year and the success was attributed to Pemadam’s partnership with the Sarawak Education Department, which had facilitated targeted awareness programmes in 194 secondary schools in the state.

The collaboration we have with the Sarawak Education Department has been pivotal and our efforts to integrate the Drug Education and Prevention Programme (PPDa) into schools are meant to ensure that students are educated early on the dangers of drugs and substance abuse. This also include the joint efforts and collaborations 

with various agencies and organisations including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Royal Customs Department, National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), Pengasih Malaysia, Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) and Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs), as well as various sports associations and parent-teacher associations (PTAs).

The strong partnerships with the rest of the stakeholders have strengthened the delivery of our anti-drug message and allowed us to reach diverse segments of the community. In 2024 alone, Pemadam Sarawak has conducted a total 88 awareness programmes, covering 45 districts, with the seminars, workshops and exhibitions all targeting and involving students, parents and educators.

Thus, all Pemadam district-level committees to continue their collaboration with groups such as Saberkas and One-Stop Committee (OSC) to overcome challenges arising from limited resources. The “Break Off E-Sports Challenge’ programme, organised by Centexs Santubong and our Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) had also made a contribution by engaging youths in positive activities. 

The programme, which combined gaming competitions with drug awareness talks, was hailed as a success, leading to plans for a larger initiative, ‘Break Off Edu 2025’, set to take place in Debak, Betong, run in collaboration with the Sarawak Social Development Council.

Giving the thumbs up to Youth Movement Malaysia (YMM) for organising youth related events and activities

I have recently called on members of Youth Movement Malaysia (YMM) to continue organising youth related events and activities to foster cordial relations as well as understanding among our local young folks throughout Sarawak. I have mentioned this in my speech during the official launching ceremony of YMM’s “Benak Youth Fusion Fest 2024” held in Sri Aman over the weekend and . 

I have also commended the movement which is among the most active youth-based non governmental organisations (NGO) in Sri Aman. Having urged them to invite more of their peers from other ethnic groups to join its events and activities, I have mentioned that YMM should also strive to achieve its aims, goals and objectives by attracting youths from all walks of life to join them.

Sarawak is blessed with abundant natural resources that can sustain it progress and development efforts which will propel the livelihood of the local population consisting of people from 34 different ethnicities as well as unique cultures and traditions.

 

Colourful atmosphere at this year's "Pesta Benak" tidal bore festival at Simanggang town, Sri Aman

I had the opportunity to witness the launching ceremony of this year's "Pesta Benak" tidal bore festival which was held at the waterfront esplanade of Simanggang town in Sri Aman. The opening ceremony was graced by the honourable Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, the Deputy Premier of Sarawak.

The much awaited event had entered its 21st edition and there was an interesting line up of activities which include a regatta, Miss Tourism beauty pageant, a Fun Run and Fun Ride as well as a food fair plus sales stalls that were participated by small time business communities from as far as Kuching, Sibu and other divisions.

The closing ceremony of the three-day festival was graced by our Head of State, Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who is accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Binti Mohd Sanusi.

Thousands of our local folks together with visitors from other divisions throughout Sarawak had congregated in Simanggang town to show their support towards the annual event which is also included in our calendar of events and festivities.

Great time at official launching of the 22nd Latin American Film Festival in Kuching City

We had a delightful time at the opening day screening of the 22nd Latin American Film Festival in Kuching City which was held recently at GSC City One Mall of Jalan Tun Jugah, Kuching. The exciting film festival had been held annually in West Malaysia and this is the first time the organisers had decided to have it in Sarawak. 

It was an honour for me to have met the various ambassadors from Latin America to Malaysia who are also here in Kuching for the official launching of their film festival here. The ambassadors are from Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Peru as well as the Charge d’Affaires of Uruguay. They include His Excellency Mr Florentino Batista Gonzalez from the Cuban embassy; His Excellency Mr Ricardo Morote Canales; His Excellency Mr Alejandro Rosselli Londoño from the Colombian embassy; His Excellency Mr Luis Javier Campuzano Piña from the Mexican embassy and Ms Lourdes Mariela Machado Gonzalez, the Charge d’Affaires at the Uruguayan embassy in Malaysia.

I am very happy that Latin American countries have considered Kuching for this event. This is an opportunity for us to foster cultural exchange, and I hope this won’t be the first and last time. Organising the festival could attract a local audience eager to learn more about Latin American culture through their films. I had thanked them for having invited me to grace the opening ceremony. I have mentioned in my speech on the potential for collaboration on tourism aspects between Latin American countries and Malaysia especially Sarawak.

I have also suggested for the travel agencies and airlines to consider include Latin American countries as tourist destinations, as these countries hold untapped potential for Malaysian travellers and vice versa. I have noticed Malaysian tourists rarely visit Latin America due to lack of packages offered among travel agencies which may not placed enough effort into promoting that region.

Despite not having enough long-haul flights posing a challenge for travel between these two parts of the world – possibly exceeding more than 24 hours in some cases  the experiences in countries like Uruguay, Peru, and Colombia will make the journey worthwhile. It is a fact that most Sarawakians will go to Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Turkey, or Australia but I have not seen many that go to Latin American countries. I think both sides have to make the effort for the benefits of both parties especially the people.

Meeting for selection committee of “Sarawak Youth Creative Industry Fund” (SYCIF)

This morning I had chaired the selection committee meeting for the “Sarawak Youth Creative Industry Fund” (SYCIF) which was held at Bako Meeting Room of the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Entrepreneurial Development Sarawak (MYSED), Level 16, Baitul Makmur II Building, Petra Jaya in Kuching City. The meeting was also attended by YB Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports & Entrepreneurial Development Sarawak and Tuan Morshidi Fredrik, Permanent Secretary to the ministry. We thank to all those who have applied for funds from this program which had received an encouraging response from our local youths. 

The fund was set up back in 2018 and offered under MYSED that aims to develop the raw talents of our local youth in the fields of arts and culture, especially music, film, drama, theatre, and more. The establishment of the fund will also be able to encourage the development and potential of the creative and innovative youth in Sarawak.The application for the fund is open to all Sarawakian youths aged 19 to 40, be it individuals, groups or organisations. However, it must be noted that the fund is specifically for those who want to polish their skills in the various fields stipulated and not for business-related purposes.

Memorable trip to Miri for SUKMA XXI Appreciation Dinner

Recently I received an invitation to grace the appreciation dinner in Miri that was organised for the volunteers and members of the various working committees members who were involved in the staging of competitions held in Northern region of Sarawak conjunction with the 21st edition of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA). 

My heartfelt thanks to the SUKMA Secretariat led by Datu Hii Chang Kee, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for having invited me to grace the event held at Meritz Hotel Miri which was also attended by over 800 people. In my speech, I have spoken on the important roles and functions of the volunteers and working committees members who are actually the “unsung heroes” serving behind the scenes. 

The staging of the various SUKMA’s competitions may not be successful without the hard work, commitment and dedication given my our unsung heroes. I have extended our heartfelt appreciation to the respective Residents at divisional level who had also contributed towards the successful staging of SUKMA competitions in areas of jurisdiction. 

Their wise leadership had prevailed even before the games started and the good feedbacks from the various athletes as well as their officials are testament of the quality outcomes from our services to the visiting competing state contingents.  

Factors that attract foreign tourists coming into our country

Recently I have shared my opinions and belief that it is the sense of security and personal safety, not language, as among the main reasons why international tourists come to Malaysia and including Sarawak. I have mentioned these to our media friends on the contributing factors which attracted tourists to come to Malaysia which is  the standard of security provided by the police and other agencies.

That is why we don't have many complaints from tourists that their safety in the country is being compromised. I have told our media friends when asked to respond to a statement by Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing over Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) enforcement against Chinese-language signboards which should not be made into an issue.  Foreign tourists go to countries where they feel welcome and where there are many tourism products for them to enjoy vacations and to visit places of interest.

Thirdly, they come over to our country because of food which they can easily find. Apart from these, the local communities are welcoming towards the arrivals of the tourists where the language issue is not the main concern of the tourists who want to come to any country, saying that it is not going to hinder their travelling plans. If we want to go to other countries, say the Middle East or India or China, we do not want to insist that these countries must use Bahasa Malaysia on their road signages simply because it is for these countries concerned to decide," he said.

There are in parliament of opposition members of parliament who had questioned Datuk Seri Tiong's criticism against DBKL for reportedly penalising businesses not using Bahasa Malaysia in their signboards since October this year but I feel that we need to abide by the rules of laws. If the by-laws say so, everyone living in that area must abide by them. There is no need for us to insist on the use of Tamil language to attract tourists from India, Mandarin for tourists from China, or Arabic for tourists from Middle Eastern countries. 

The use of Bahasa Malaysia in DBKL's jurisdiction should not be made an issue. There is no need to make a small issue become a major issue by alleging such actions as excessive and counterproductive. Hence, we must not create a false negative image that contradicts our reality as a multiracial, multicultural, and multi religious country.

Welcoming our State Budget 2025 allocation for Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak

The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak was allocated with over RM100 million in our 2025 State Budget and it will bolster our tourism sector in becoming a premier tourist destination in the region while fostering sustainable development. The funding will support event organisation, infrastructure upgrades, and initiates aimed at growing the local tourism industry much rapidly.

We had welcomed the recent announcement of the budget that highlighted our dedication to expanding the local tourism sector which include events, infrastructure improvements, and other initiatives that are aligned with this goal, which will benefit visitors from all over. For the record, Sarawak’s tourism industry had shown consistent growth, achieving its 2022 and 2023 visitor arrival targets and, by early November, its goal for 2024.

The successful staging of the numerous cultural, musical, and food events that attracted visitors and highlighted Sarawak’s vibrancy is evidence that our tourism sector is thriving. The significant allocation for tourism is part of broader efforts to promote the state’s unique heritage and natural beauty, while supporting creative industries, performing arts, and sustainable tourism development,” he said, expressing confidence that this funding would further elevate Sarawak as a key player in Malaysia’s tourism landscape.

Apart from the allocation for tourism, Sarawak is also continuing its efforts to prioritise conservation efforts. Among those which had been undertaken is the world’s longest reef ball project along the state’s coastline, as well as the establishment of marine parks like Talang Satang and Luconia Shoals, as testaments to its commitment to preserving natural resources while enhancing ecotourism opportunities. 

As our tourism industry continues to grow, we are optimistic about the future and the budget allocation had demonstrated our commitment in ensuring the tourism sector will continue to thrive and contribute significantly to Sarawak’s development.