Giving the thumbs up to 10th Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF)

I have congratulated the organisers of the 10th Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF) for having attracted keen response from cultural and contemporary dance troupes from all Malaysia as well as from abroad.

I had also commended the efforts by the organising committee led by Hornland Theatre group for organising the dance event the past 10 years as part of Sibu's calendar of tourism attractions. Despite having experienced heavy downpour during the opening ceremony last night, our folks in Sibu had thronged the Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang to watch the various dances and cultural performances.

The SIDF had received support from Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) and the organisers had invited me to grace the opening ceremony which was also attended by Datuk Snowdan Lawan, our Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts as well as local dignitaries.

Spending good time at Sarawak Cultural Village during the weekend

The recent weekend and September 16 Malaysia Day holidays had given our local folks the opportunity to unwind and many had visited the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong which had its free entrance promotion. Despite the long queue and traffic jam along the road at Pantai Damai, Santubong our folks had persevered and obliged to the arrangements set upon by the authorities there.

I was also at the Sarawak Cultural Village as the guest of honour for the official opening ceremony of the 39th National Chinese Cultural Festival which was participated by 1,000 delegates from various associations throughout Malaysia.

I was also glad to have met so many friends and new acquaintances there while visiting a number of interesting spots including spending almost an hour at the Chinese village house which had undergone renovation works recently.   

Welcoming delegates of the 39th National Chinese Cultural Festival

It was a great occasion and this year's 39th National Chinese Cultural Festival official opening ceremony was held at Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) in Santubong over the weekend. I had thanked the organisers who had invited me to grace the opening ceremony that was also witnessed by 500 participants from all over Malaysia.

In my speech, I had lauded the organisers who had decided to have this year's festival in Kuching and to enable all the participants to have good opportunity to experience what our city have to offer to visitors especially on the local hospitality. I have reminded the audience on importance of unity in diversity that will ensure continuing peace and social harmony in our community and country.

We had a great time during the visits to various interesting spots in Sarawak Cultural Village especially the Chinese village house which had undergone renovations and improvement works recently. Interestingly, thousands of our local folks had thronged Santubong over the weekend because of the free entrance to Sarawak Cultural Village promotion held in conjunction with this year's September 16 Malaysia Day celebration.   

Presentation of RM1.84 million incentives to Sarawak SUKMA XXI medalists

Sarawak government had presented incentives amounting to RM1.834 million to our athletes who had won medals in the recent 21st Malaysian Games (SUKMA) in which we had emerged as overall champion after bagging 76 gold, 55 silver and 70 bronze medals.

The incentive presentation ceremony was grace by our Premier, the right honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who accompanied by local dignitaries and also the athletes who had won the medals. 

In his speech, our Premier had mentioned the presentation of incentives what was as promised to the Sarawak SUKMA athletes and the quantum was highest compared to other state contingents. According to him, the athletes had delivered the victory to Sarawak after 30 long years of trying to bag the elusive championship title.

He had also expressed hope for our physically challenged athletes who are competing in the 21st Para SUKMA to emulate the sports feat when they take centre stage in the biennial games on 23 to 28 September in Kuching. 

Spotlight on the forthcoming 21st edition of Para-SUKMA which takes centre stage on September 23 to 28

The centre stage is set for the much awaited 21st edition of PARA-SUKMA which is Malaysia's version of the Paralympics where Sarawak will be playing host to the 1,290 para-athletes from throughout the nation vying for top honours in the biennial event.

The games is on from September 23 to 28 in Kuching and Sarawak is fielding 213 of its para-athletes consisting of 143 men and 70 women who will be competing in all of the competitions. 

We had the gathering with all of our para-athletes at Hikmah Exchange Events Centre (HEEC) recently and it was graced by the right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg who also presented the state flag "Ibu PertiwiKu" to the contingent.

Our esteemed premier had expressed his confidence for Sarawak to achieve its target of capturing the overall champion's title for the 14th time while bagging a total of 83 to seal the victory.

In his speech, our premier had mentioned that Sarawakians have a strong sports spirit, which is why he had emphasised on sports because it leads to an important factor which is discipline. 

According to him, if all Sarawak athletes are disciplined, their performance will improve, and so will sports development. Hence, no efforts are spared in providing sufficient training for our Para SUKMA athletes, even if it means sending them to South Africa, as we believe in their potential. 

He even mentioned the achievements of Sarawak-born Paralympic champion Bonnie Bunyau who had recently broken the world's powerlifting record in Paris. It was also announced that Sarawak para athletes who won gold medals would receive an incentive of RM15,000, while silver medallists will receive RM5,000 and bronze medallists, RM3,000.

Meeting up with Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore's Minister for Manpower during his brief visit to Kuching

It was delightful to have met the honourable Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore's Minister for Manpower who was in Kuching City recently for a one-day working visit here. Dr Tan who is also the Second Minister for Trade and Industry had invited me for lunch at Sheraton Hotel Kuching together with our Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Datu Sherrina Hussaini. 

We had a good talk on matters of mutual interest especially those that will strengthen collaboration between Singapore and Sarawak in giving boost the economies of both countries. We are open to exploring various initiatives to improve connectivity and unlock further business collaboration opportunities.

During his brief visit here, Dr Tan made courtesy visits to the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, at the Astana Negeri in Petra Jaya and also to the Right Honourable Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Abang Johari Tun Openg before returning to Singapore.

Reaffirming Sarawak's decision to co-host the 2027 SEA Games

I have reaffirmed Sarawak’s decision to co-host the 2027 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games regardless of the decision to be made by Sabah’s Government on the matter. Despite the recent news on Sabah’s position on this matter, we will leave the matter at the discretion of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and discussions are still ongoing. But we have been informed by KBS and the Federal government that we (Sarawak) will be the co-host. On the participation of other states, we will discuss this later.

This matter was brought up by our media friends at the sidelines of 55th MATTA Fair 2024 held at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MiTEC) of Jalan Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur recently. Again I have informed them that Sarawak has agreed to co-host and regarding whether or not Sabah will do the same, that will be determined in the meetings between all of us with KBS and Federal government. 

We are keen to participate as a co-host in the SEA Games because it will boost our state's position on the global sporting map in which apart from hosting premier regional games, Sarawak will also be hosting other international sporting events such as the Women’s Under 19 T20 World Cup, where there will be 10 ICC matches to be held in January 2025.

Hosting such prestigious events will bring good numbers of athletes, officials, and fans from around the world which will also present an excellent opportunity to showcase Sarawak’s unique culture, breathtaking landscapes, and unmatched hospitality. This will boost our sports tourism attractions and to attract the world sports fraternity to come to our shores.

Bright future for tourism industry prospects in Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah

We are optimistic with the bright future of the tourism industry for both Sarawak and Sabah that can be achieved if both partners continue working together in harmony. Both states can jointly promote our beautiful region, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality in welcoming visitors from all over the world. In fact, both Sarawak and Sabah can make Borneo a must-visit destination for travellers when they come to Malaysia.

As mentioned by Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, YB Datuk Christina during the official launching ceremony of the recent 55th MATTA Fair 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, the tourism sector for us can flourish more if both states continue working together to promote attraction in Borneo. Thus, the ongoing strong collaboration between Sabah and Sarawak in promoting Borneo as Malaysia’s Favourite Destination must continue because it is a great initiative and impactful for both states.

Both myself and Datuk Christina had the opportunity to briefly meet up at the Malaysia Association International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MiTEC) of Jalan Dutamas recently after being invited by the Malaysia Association of Travel and Tours Agents (MATTA) to jointly officiate the opening ceremony of their annual MATTA Fair there.

We applauded the organising of the two-day event which had also showcased Borneo as one of Malaysia's favourite destinations with the MATTA Fair has always been a significant platform for Sabah to promote tourism, with this year being no exception. 

Great response to the 55th edition of MATTA Fair at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) on Jalan Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur

It was a delightful experience for me to be invited as guest of honour at the official launching of this year's "MATTA Fair" which was held at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) on Jalan Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.

The 55th edition of the fair was organised by the Malaysia Travel and Tours Agents (MATTA) association with over 1,590 exhibition booths including those by Sarawak Tourism Board and Sabah Tourism Board.

I was invited to officially launch the annual event together with Datuk Christina Liew Chin Jin, Sabah's Minister of Tourism, Culture & Environment.

This year's event was billed at the largest ever with 284 participating organisations which include 183 travel and tour agencies, 15 national organizations. 9 state tourism offices, 44 hotels and well know resorts, 11 theme parks and 21 other travel-related service providers.

Both the tourism boards of Sarawak and Sabah are collaborating on a campaign called "Discover Borneo: Malaysia’s Favourite Destination" to woo the crowd who are looking for culture, adventure, nature food and festivals (CANFF) experience. Meanwhile, our collaboration with Sabah's Tourism Board is to promote tourism as well as to share the heart and soul of Borneo Island to the world. 

Meeting Dato Pandelela Rinong Pamg, our Olympian and Malaysia's diving queen

It was great to have met our Olympian and Malaysia's diving queen, Dato Pandelela Rinong Pamg who came to our office yesterday. The 31-year-old Bidayuh lass shared a bit on her latest training stint as well as upcoming international events that will be competed soon. Thank you for coming over to our office even for the brief moments.

Giving credits to organisers of "What About Kuching" (WAK)

I have congratulated the organisers of "What About Kuching" (WAK) Festival and had expressed optimism for the annual event to expand further as a good avenue for our young folks to showcase their talents.

The event which started back in 2017 has the potential to establish itself as one of Sarawak’s premier events and to be on par with the world famed Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF). Thank you to the organisers who had invited me to grace the official unveiling of the events' calendar of events and activities for this year.

The 6th edition of the exciting festival will feature a wide array of young talents, from music to arts. During the recent press conference organised by the organisers, I had emphasised the importance of community support, noting that the involvement of local mayors and volunteers had been crucial in the festival’s development.

I have commended the organisers for expanding WAK to Sibu and Miri with the impacts had reached  beyond Kuching, with activities that were held in the two divisions were well received especially by local folks and youths. 

Despite retaining the name ‘Kuching’, it is heartening to see that the festival was well-received with the brand “WAK has established its own identity which is impressive and inspiring to all. I am delighted to see that the festival’s increasing popularity both locally and internationally. 

The festival has also blossomed into a significant event involving the youth and showcasing a wide array of talents, from music to arts. Thus, I have also emphasised on the importance of community support, noting that the involvement of local mayors and volunteers has been crucial in the festival’s development. 

I also hope for future editions of WAK and other local festivals would continue to evolve, drawing more participants from within and outside Sarawak, much like the RWMF has done over the years.