Supporting our Federal Government's proposed tourism investment zones under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP)

Recently I was asked to comment by our media friends on the proposed tourism investment zones announced by the right honourable Prime Minister under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and our Sarawak Government will fully support such efforts but the important thing is that there is no overlap in the undertaking. This is because is the tourism investment zones mentioned shall include areas like Mulu National Park, Niah Caves, the Kuching Geo Delta Park and the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF)…then we are indirectly on the same track. 

I have also mentioned that we have not been formally briefed on its implementation and is awaiting clarification from the Federal Government over the proposed special tourism investment zones that would be located in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Sarawak. The zones are also said to be jointly developed by the respective state governments and private sector in conjunction with Visa Malaysia 2026.

But we are ready to cooperate and I have mentioned that Sarawak’s current tourism strategy had already been proven to be successful, with tourism receipts have exceeded RM1 billion every month with the targeted 5 million visitors had more or less achieved by end of this year. Sarawak on its part had already been actively promoting many of its destinations even without the “imaginary zoning” and we will continue it as part of our state’s current tourism strategy this year.

Thanking ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation for having Kuching as their destination of this year's "Youth EdXchange Programme 2025"

We thank both the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation for having selected Kuching as one of the destinations for participants of this year's "Youth EdXchange Programme 2025" under their "ASEAN Empowering Youth Across ASEAN (EYAA)" programme. 

A total of 60 delegates from all 10 ASEAN countries including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are taking part in the two-day programme in Kuching.

While in the city, they were exposed to Sarawak’s environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and youth-led innovation in sustainable development. I was given the honour to represent the right honourable Premier of Sarawak at the closing ceremony of the programme. 

At the closing ceremony, I have mentioned that our young generation is the nation's most important asset for the future and also for the present days.We hope the participants had enjoyed experiences throughout the exchange programme from local community immersion to sustainability workshops and project pitching.

Their active participation are proof that when young people are empowered and given the platform, they will rise and lead with a purpose. We welcome the organising of the international programme which provides a platform for young people to connect with ASEAN youths through environmental education, sustainability, and cross-cultural collaboration.