My comments on label for Sarawak as one of the 6 poorest states in Malaysia

I have chided our Economy Minister, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli who had listed Sarawak as one of the 6 poorest states in Malaysia including Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis. I was interviewed by our local media friends on this matter after Sarawak together with other “poorest states” were warned not to expect allocations from the Federal Government alone. 

According to the learned Datuk Seri Rafizi, efforts to narrow the poverty gap is a shared responsibility that must be shouldered by the respective state governments in order to attract investment and business. He had also mentioned that the allocation to the 6 poorest states in our country which hd been maintained is much more than others. 

Of course it is not right to put Sarawak as one of the poorest states in Malaysia simply because we have billions of ringgit in our coffers and not forgetting the rich natural resources which we posses that had not been fully discovered nor tapped. I have mentioned that probably such label was based on the large number of “e-kasih” applicants which had been registered in Sarawak previously and that the relevant authorities should revisit such registration.

Nevertheless, Sarawak has a lot of rural folks who are actively involved in agriculture and its downstream activities but what they are lacking is the documentary proofs of their monthly earnings from such economic activities. I have mentioned that there are kampung folks in the Asajaya constituency who have earned up to RM10,000 monthly but they do not have “salary slips” to prove their lucrative earnings from working on their lands and farms. Some can even earned RM5,000 a month which is far more than the average full time wage earners and sadly these farmers do not have “salary slips” to prove their monthly incomes.

Over 3,000 of our folks expected to join the forthcoming "Juh Berambeh Sungkei" organised by Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) together with Kelab Belia Proaktif

Over 3,000 people are expected to attend the large-scale iftar (breaking of fast) event which will be held on 15 March at Padang Merdeka in Kuching. The "Juh Berambeh Sungkei" event is organised by Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) together with Kelab Belia Proaktif which aims to   celebrate Sarawak's unity and diversity by bringing people from various backgrounds together.

This event is not a religious event but a breaking of fast event that reflects Sarawak's spirit of inclusivity, mutual respect and understanding. I have mentioned this during the press conference and although fasting is a religious obligation for Muslims during Ramadan, we know that many of our friends who are not Muslims sometimes join in fasting. It is not wrong for us to hold a breaking of fast gathering for all. Thus, the event has the dual themes of "Iftar in Unity" and "Youth in Sustainability".

Also present during the press conference was Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau, the director at Unit for Other Religions (Unifor). With the support of Unifor, this event will stand as a shining example of Sarawak's commitment to religious harmony and social cohesion because our folks from all faiths were welcome to attend.

The event will also feature sustainability initiatives, including solar charging stations, plastic bottle collection for recycling, and food waste collection. Although we come from different racial and religious backgrounds, we can sit down and eat together. This youth-led initiative shows that unity and harmony begin at a young age.

Wishing "Selamat Berpuasa" to all Muslims in Sarawak and Malaysia

I take this opportunity to wish all Muslims "Selamat Berpuasa" and may our fasting will be well received by Allah Subhanahuwataala  I also expressed hope for all Muslims in Sarawak and our country take advantage of the blessed month to strengthen friendships and help those in need.

The forthcoming 28th Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 (RWMF2025) expected to woo 30,000 crowd

This year’s Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF2025) is targeting 30,000 attendees and the legendary “Earth, Wind & Fire” (EWF) band will be among the international acts who will be performing at Sarawak Cultural Village from June 20 to 22. The seven-time Grammy Award winner guitarist Al McKay is bringing the legendary band’s timeless groove to the RWMF2025 which is entering its 28th edition.

I thanked Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) for having invited me to the official announcement and press conference which was held at the Theatre Hotel in Jalan Song Thian Cheok, Kuching. This year’s festival has the theme called “Connections: One Earth, One Love’’ that showcases the significance in celebrating the power of music to unite cultures and bridge traditions, while reinforcing a commitment to environmental sustainability.

It would also showcase an unparalleled fusion of world-class talents and indigenous artistry, featuring three outstanding headliners namely the ‘The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay’, Otyken from Siberia, Russia, and Sarawak’s very own At Adau, alongside 170 performers from 20 other countries. There will be the “Otyken, an indigenous band, offers an immersive musical experience rooted in Siberian traditions with their throat singing blends, tribal rhythms, and folk instruments with modern electronic elements.

Revellers will also be entertained by local acts including “At Adau” band which was established in 2014. It fuses traditional Sape melodies with tribal percussion from Borneo’s diverse ethnic groups, blending heritage with contemporary world music. Local musical talents such as “Buloh Berkocak”, Dee Jay, Matthew Ngau’s “Wind & Earth”, Meruked, and Naungan will be representing both eastern and western regions of Malaysia.

The other International acts will include “Gaga Gundul” (France and Indonesia), “Kuntaw Mindano” (Philippines), “Kulāiwi” (Hawaii, USA), “La Chiva Gantiva” (Colombia and Belgium), “Manhu” (China), “N’famady Kouyaté” (Guinea and United Kingdom), among others.

On another related matter, the festival this year would be expanded beyond the traditional festival grounds to Damai Central, transforming it into a vibrant public space featuring free arts, crafts, and wellness activities. In line with its sustainability effort, the RWMF2025, in its commitment to a long-term carbon offset initiative aimed to plant 10,000 trees to coincide with RWMF’s 30th anniversary in 2027 in which a portion of ticket sales would go to support such efforts.

There will dedicated recycling points, waste separation initiatives, and sustainable waste management throughout the festival will be provided to reduce waste and provide eco-stations. Free water refill stations will also be provided,” he said, adding that a strict ban would be imposed on the use of disposable plastics at the event.

Among other initiatives include 20 shuttle services to reduce carbon emissions and the use of eco-friendly products and biodegradable tableware.

Early bird ticket sales would be made available from March 8 to 21 – with three-day passes at RM635, RM 765 (pre-sale) and RM835 (door sale); one-day pass is RM235 (early bird), RM283 (pre-sale), and RM333 (door sale). Children’s pass (for those aged three to 12) is priced at RM80, while those under three can enter for free.

Special discounts are also available for bulk purchases during the pre-sale period. Groups purchasing between 10 to 30 tickets would receive a special rate of RM266 per adult for a one-day pass, while those who purchased more than 30 tickets would receive an even lower rate of RM250 per adult.

Opening ceremony of 64th Sarawak level Al-quran Recitation & Hafazan ceremony by Premier of Sarawak

The opening of the 64th Sarawak Level Quran Recitation and Hafazan ceremony was graced by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg at the Kota Samarahan Civic Hall. In his speech, our premier had urged the Muslim community in Sarawak to continue to defend religious principles which are the main pillars of human prosperity to ensure that the state's prosperity and harmony are maintained.

He had explained on the principles which are in line with the content of the verse in Surah Al-Imran, which emphasizes the five main principles of Muslim life. According to him, the holy verses had also demand for us Muslims to follow five principles of our lives, among which is defending our religion. Because these are pillars that prosper humanity. In addition, Muslims also need to maintain a pattern of life, especially from a social and equity perspective, because it involves relationships between human beings.

He had also commended the organisers for organising the event which had attracted 45 participants, namely 12 qari and 11 qariah as well as 15 male memorisation participants and seven female memorisation participants from all over Sarawak. Also present during the opening ceremony were our State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and President of the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) Datuk Misnu Taha as well as other local dignitaries.

Plans to expand Sarawak Sports Village in Petra Jaya to become largest integrated sports centre in Malaysia

Our Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) has requested to the Sarawak Government to acquire 68 acres of land near the Sarawak Sports Village in Petra Jaya, Kuching that will be used to expand the Sarawak Sports Complex. With the additional land acquisition, it will make our sports complex the largest in Malaysia. I had mentioned these during my speech at the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) Appreciation Night which was held at Hilton Hotel Kuching over the weekend.

Our government is also actively developing 18 mini sports complexes in every district, which are expected to form a vital foundation for sports development and talent scouting with several of these complexes have already been completed while others are still under construction. I have revealed that each of these sports complexes is estimated to cost between RM15 million and RM20 million and will accommodate four to five types of sports. Similarly, our athletes who have shown exceptional potentials will be brought to Kuching for centralised training at the Sports Village, a dedicated facility currently under construction, to prepare them for international excellence.

With such long-term investment, we hope to establish Sarawak as a competitive sports hub in Malaysia, producing young athletes who can bring glory to our state and country on the world stage.Apart from making preparations for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma) to be held in Selangor in 2026, I have stressed Sarawak’s potential to host international events that could benefit the economy and tourism, citing the recent success of the 2025 Cricket World Cup Women’s U19, which was broadcast live to 180 countries.

I have also urged sports associations in Sarawak to be bolder in planning and bringing large-scale sports events to the state, rather than focusing solely on smaller ones. Our sports associations should try to bring sports to Sarawak, whether at the national or regional level…please prepare the proposals, as our government will always give full support and will not let costs become an obstacle in expanding the sports sector.

On the important role of SSC, I have mentioned that it must continue to play the pivotal role in to boost sports development with the aim of producing world-class athletes. Sarawak government has enabled SSC to actively provide top-notch sports facilities, professional training, and nurture young talents. I have  highlighted that this effort is expected to provide opportunities for athletes to grow and compete at national and international levels, positioning Sarawak as a centre of sports excellence in Malaysia.

We harbour hope for SSC to continue focusing on and guiding athletes from both urban and rural areas, with the objective of creating champions not only at the village level but also on the national, regional, and ultimately, the world stage. God willing, with continuous effort and prayers, this dream will come true someday,.

Sarawak to have its own International Islamic School in 2027

We fully support Sarawak’s government decision to establish the state’s first international Islamic school as an effort to empower the intellectual development of Muslim youth in which a sum of RM95 million was allocated . This was announced by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who said the initiative has received the support of both Muslim leaders and also non-Muslim leaders.

He mentioned these in his speech when officiating the recent 64th Sarawak Level Quran Recitation and Hafazan ceremony with the theme 'Sarawak Maju Makmur' held at the Kota Samarahan Civic Hall. According to him, the school will have a full boarding concept, where Hafiz students can expand their studies, including in the field of modern science. Our government had also conducted a study and took inspiration from Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah, which uses the Cambridge international syllabus, as a model for the development of the school. 

The school is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and will provide opportunities for excellent students in the Islamic faith to continue their studies to the secondary school level.

Another good initiative by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) in organising "Sarawak Gateway to Borneo Business Networking Session"

Another splendid initiative by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) with the organising of the recent "Sarawak Gateway to Borneo Business Networking Session" which was held from 17 to 21 February 2025 in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor. The much awaited event had brought together key stakeholders to align strategies, expand market outreach, and reinforce industry collaboration in preparation for an anticipated surge in visitors' arrivals. 

As our country gears up for the anticipated "Visit Malaysia Year 2026" (VMY2026), Sarawak had planned its strategy in leading the way with a clear, well-defined strategy. The event is also a pivotal step in aligning efforts across airlines, travel operators, hoteliers, and tourism stakeholders to create a seamless and world-class visitor experience.  

The synergy between government bodies, private sector players, and tourism industry partners is essential in ensuring Sarawak is in a better position to attract better number of VMY2026 visitors. 

The opportunities ahead are vast, and the stakeholders, airlines, hoteliers, and tourism operators are urged to collaborate with each other in shaping Sarawak's tourism landscape for VMY2026 and beyond. Sarawak is ready to welcome the world, offering a journey that seamlessly blends heritage, adventure, and discovery. Our state is also intensifying efforts to position itself as one of the leading destinations in Malaysia's tourism landscape ahead of VMY2026 while leveraging strong industry partnerships, improved connectivity, and diverse tourism products to attract both domestic and international travellers. 

Thumbs up to Tourism Malaysia "Meet The Experts" programme held in Sibu

Kudos to Tourism Malaysia, together with Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), and the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) for having organised a "Business-to-Business (B2B) session and seminar connecting local tourism industry players with Singaporean travel agents.

The "Meet-The-Experts" programme was followed by a four-day, three-night familiarisation trip to Sibu, showcasing Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage, diverse ethnic communities, and unique local cuisine. Eighteen travel agents from Singapore had the opportunity to meet up for networking sessions with 25 local representatives, including travel agents, tourism product owners, and hoteliers.

They were gathered for productive discussions, insights sharing, and relationship building sessions aimed to promote collaboration and innovative networking in promoting Sarawak as a premier travel destination. The outcomes from such programme will lead to the development of compelling travel packages and promotions that highlight Sarawak as a must-visit destination for Singaporeans, especially given the 26 weekly flights currently operating between Singapore and our state.

The programme was also aimed to foster the development of responsible tourism experiences that will entice regular Singaporean tourists to Sarawak for the upcoming "Visit Malaysia 2026"(VM2026). Beyond the B2B sessions, the familiarisation trip to Sibu allowed participants to immerse themselves in the Borneo Rainforest and to enjoy the scenic journey along Malaysia’s longest river—the Rajang River. The participants were also given the experience on vibrant Iban culture as well as the Melanau Heritage Trail, apart from culinary delights, and the warm hospitality of local communities. 

The "Meet-The-Experts" was first launched iback n 2022 under the initiatives of Tourism Malaysia Singapore to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between Malaysian travel trade partners and their Singaporean counterparts.

 

All round support for formation of "Presidential Council" in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Sarawak

It was heartening to hear that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Sarawak has passed the resolution to set up a presidential council which acts as a decision-making body in the face of any eventualities. This was announced by PBB president, the right honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg who is also Premier of Sarawak. 

According to him, the newly set up council will consist of the party's president, deputy presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, and secretary general. The decision was made after the conclusion of 16th PBB's Triennial Delegates’ Conference held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).  

PBB's deputy president, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas had earlier mentioned that the motion of setting up the presidential council was supported unanimously by the delegates in which it is a mechanism to be used by top PBB party leadership to brainstorm for solutions in face of any issues. 

I was the one who had proposed the matter during the convention and had explained clearly that PBB needed a committee known as the "Presidential Council" comprising the president, deputy presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents and secretary general. It is actual a small committee and so when there are issues that need to be discussed immediately, it would be easier for the members to gather. 

The formation of the committee is similar to the situation iback n 2018 when Barisan Nasional (BN) lost in the General Election and Sarawak leaders needed to come up with fast decisions in the face of the great change. He said at that juncture, several top leaders from PBB and other component parties were gathered to discuss Sarawak’s direction. 

It was during that time that the decision was made to leave BN to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). “\And in the future, it will be more challenging with the new technology such artificial Intelligence (AI), and with the availability of handphone which makes it easy to spread news and information widely. 

That is why there’s a need to have a speedy mechanism to make decisions, to decide on policies and direction.The decision will further be presented to PBB's Supreme Council for endorsement and advice. It was stressed that the role of the presidential council is to speed up decision-making process in the face of issues when fast answers are needed and to assist PBB's president to take the best appropriate actions.

No reshuffle in Sarawak Cabinet line-up despite outcomes in recent party's elections of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB Sarawak)

The right honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg who is president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) had gave the assurance and had stressed that there would be no Cabinet reshuffle despite the outcomes of the recent party’s elections. He said it was his prerogative, as Premier of Sarawak to decide who should be in our state cabinet. He said these when interviewed by our media friends on the defeat of two state cabinet ministers in the recent party’s vice-presidential contest which according to our esteemed Premier would not affect the latter’s position in the Sarawak Cabinet. 

“There is no reshuffle. (The vice-presidential contest) has nothing to do with reshuffling (of the Cabinet). He (Abdul Karim) will go on, go on as usual,” he was quoted on my position in the State Cabinet line-up when met by the media after the conclusion of the 16th PBB Triennial Delegates’ Conference which was held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on 14 to 16 February. Our Premier had also assured that all those who were involved in the contest in the just concluded party election, both winners and losers, would continue to be part of PBB.

Historic moment for us as Sarawak officially announces "AirBorneo" as its state airline

We were indeed excited with the landmark move made by our Sarawak state government which has officially launched its own airline called "AirBorneo" with the formal acquisition of MASwings from the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).

The official name for the airline was announced by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg and this development will position Sarawak as the first Malaysian state to own an airline. 

The strategic move was also aimed to transform the region into a central aviation hub for Borneo and a gateway to the neighbouring ASEAN countries.

The formal signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) took place today at Hilton Kuching and the historic occasion had marked the official transfer of MASwings to our Sarawak government. This acquisition is a significant step toward enhancing connectivity and accessibility for both domestic and international travellers.

In his speech, our esteemed Premier had emphasized that this initiative would open new opportunities and foster greater connectivity, benefiting local communities and businesses alike. AirBorneo is set to operate as a full-service carrier, aiming to balance enhanced passenger experiences with economic benefits.

While the airline’s initial focus will be on rural air services, ensuring that remote areas within Sarawak and Sabah remain connected. Our government has stretegic plans to expand its network through strategic partnerships and code-sharing agreements with other international airlines, including Malaysia Airlines. Such strategy is designed to improve global connectivity for Sarawak, making it more accessible to tourists and business travellers.

It was announced that Air Borneo may broaden its horizons in the future by introducing international flights to destinations such as Germany, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand. To support such expansion and to enhance overall connectivity, our government is planning to construct a new international airport in Tanjung Embang, Samarahan division. 

The proposed infrastructure development is expected to further solidify Sarawak’s position as a premier travel destination in the region. Such progression underscored the importance of continued collaboration with MAG to ensure a smooth handover process.

The strategic partnership with MAG is also aimed to minimize disruptions and maintain high service standards during the transition period. Under MAG, MASwings primarily serviced rural areas with turboprop aircraft, operating routes within Sabah and Sarawak. AirBorneo plans to uphold this legacy while expanding its reach and services. All Sarawakians are proud with the establishment of Air Borneo that had marked a significant milestone in Malaysia’s aviation history and also reflecting Sarawak’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and economic growth in the region.

Sarawak delegation study visit to INACRAFT2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia

Recently I have led the delegation from Sarawak to Jakarta, Indonesia recently to study and explore their thriving handicraft sector in the efforts to understand what had contribute to the industry’s success. Our visit there to coincide with this year’s Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair (INACRAFT2025) at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) which was also an eye opener.

The five-day trade fair had entered its 25th edition and is widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most successful craft exhibitions. Our delegation had good insights on how Indonesia has established itself as a global leader in traditional crafts, with a well developed eco-system that supports artisans through government policies, funding and industry associations.

The Indonesian authorities and craft organisations had given strong support in terms of providing technical training, market access and financial support to artisans. Such initiatives will ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the industry in the global marketplace.

We had also participated in discussions with our various counterparts which include those from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Exporters and Producers of Indonesian Handicraft, and provincial craft councils from Yogyakarta, Bali and Kalimantan.

Together we had explored potential collaboration and future joint projects namely artist exchanges, joint exhibitions and cross-border market access. We had also observed the effective role played by Indonesia’s tourism sector in promoting crafts as part of heritage tourism which we could emulate to further develop the creative industry in the near future.