Five AirAsia aircraft display Visit Sarawak ads

August 14, 2019

Abdul Karim shows his approval for the advertisements on the overhead compartments. Sharzede is behind him.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has taken out Visit Sarawak Campaign advertisements on the overhead luggage compartments of five AirAsia aircraft for a year.

A press release yesterday said through the collaborative effort with AirAsia and Laduni Services Sdn Bhd, the overhead cabin compartments will prominently display Sarawak as a destination full of life, vibrancy, and excitement by showcasing various attractions of culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah officiated at a signing ceremony for the collaboration at the Kuching International Airport yesterday.

Providing airfare subsidy to Sarawakian students commended

February 3, 2019

Abang Johari (centre), flanked by Abdul Karim (right) and AirAsia non-independent, non-executive director Datuk Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar answers a question during a press conference  after the launching of ‘AirAsia Sarawak Campaign Livery’ yesterday.

KUCHING: The provision of airfare subsidy to Sarawakian students going back home during festive seasons is a commendable effort by the Sarawak government, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The subsidy, according to him, would enable more Sarawakian students who are studying in Peninsular Malaysia, to spend more time with their families during the festive holidays.

However, he could not comment about this programme further without having the full details on such policy.

‘Five-million tourist arrival’s target remains achievable for Sarawak’

February 3, 2019

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg cuts the ribbon to officiate at the launch of the ‘Air Asia Sarawak Campaign Livery’ at KIA. With him are Abdul Karim and Abdul Aziz, on his right.

KUCHING: Sarawak is confident of achieving its target of five million tourist arrivals this year, despite AirAsia’s plan of discontinuing its Kuching-Shenzhen route.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes that Sarawak should still be able to welcome tourists from China coming in via Sabah and towards this end, his ministry is making certain arrangements with Sabah to facilitate this.

“Aside from that, tourists from China can still come to Sarawak via Kuala Lumpur,” he told reporters after the launching of ‘AirAsia Sarawak Campaign Livery’ by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Kuching International Airport (KIA) yesterday.

‘AirAsia’s Sibu-KK route big tourism booster’

January 31, 2019

Abd Karim (third right) presents a memento to Zamani while (from right) Zainuddin, Tiong, Hii and Sharzede look on.

SIBU: AirAsia’s Sibu-Kota Kinabalu route will definitely help Sibu in its tourism development, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said Sibu is one of the places they are focusing on, especially with the new road connecting Sibu and Kapit which is expected to be completed this year.

“Sibu will be the gateway to the hinterland of Sarawak. There are many good areas in the hinterland which we can now promote.

New routes will boost tourist arrivals in Sibu and Bintulu

December 8, 2018

SIBU: The newly introduced AirAsia’s KK-Sibu and KK-Bintulu sectors will result in an increase in the number of visitors to the two Sarawak towns in particular and the state in general besides making it easier for locals to fly to Sabah or overseas.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told reporters this when asked if the new sectors would boost tourist arrivals for Sibu and Bintulu.

He added: “This is something which Sibu/Bintulu residents as well as his ministry have been asking for a long time too.”

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, hoped that with the new sectors as well as the just launched Kuching-Tawau four weekly flights, these will further boost the number of visitors either way.

AirAsia’s Tawau-Kuching route launched

December 6, 2018

Christina (seventh right) and Abdul Karim (eighth right) pose with AirAsia’s Kuching-Tawau route delegation. AirAsia yesterday launched Kuching-Tawau direct flight.

TAWAU: Visit Sarawak Year 2019 receives a boost with the opening of Tawau-Kuching route starting from December 02.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, in his speech during the official launching of the new route yesterday said it was also a win-win situation for both Sarawak and Sabah as the destinations are under the Borneo brand.

In addition to that, he was quoted by TheBorneoPost as saying the new route would further enhance the relationship between the two Malaysian states on Borneo Island.

Abdul Karim welcomes the announcement on AirAsia takes over KK-Sibu, KK-Bintulu routes

November 22, 2018

SIBU: Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s announcement that AirAsia Group Bhd is set to take over the Kota Kinabalu (KK)-Sibu and KK-Bintulu routes from MASwings Sdn Bhd starting January 2019.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when contacted TheBorneoPost, said although he has yet to be informed about the matter, it is ‘very much welcomed news’ if it is true.

He added that this is the sector which Sibu and Bintulu residents have been asking for.

AirAsia taking over KK-Sibu, KK-Bintulu routes a welcome news – Abdul Karim

November 21, 2018

SIBU: Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s announcement that the low cost carrier – AirAsia is set to take over the Kota Kinabalu (KK)-Sibu and KK-Bintulu routes from MASwings Sdn Bhd starting January 2019 is indeed a welcome news to residents of both towns.

When contacted today, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he has yet to be informed about the matter, but pointed out that if this is true, it is a positive development for this sector.

“I have not been informed of this yet but if it is true, this is very much welcome news. This is one sector which Sibu and Bintulu residents have been asking for,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post.

AirAsia may resume Sibu-Kota Kinabalu flight

July 1, 2017

SIBU: AirAsia may resume its Sibu-Kota Kinabalu (KK) flight as the low-cost carrier is said to be keen in servicing the route again.

AirAsia discontinued the route in August 2009 after operating for four months, as MASwings had been given exclusive rights by the government to service the rural air routes.

Following that, there had been numerous calls from tourism players here for the flight to resume with the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) being the latest to jump into the bandwagon.