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.
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.
