‘S’wak a good destination for creative pursuits’

August 20, 2019

Abdul Karim, flamked by Hii (seated, third left) and Ng, joins (seated, from left) Lai, Sharzede, Liyu and Ling in a photo-call with the models and designers taking part in BOAD2019.

KUCHING: The state government wants to promote Sarawak as a destination for creative pursuits, says Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He points out that while it may not be the fashion capital of Asean and neither will it be a commercial hub, Sarawak can become be a destination for creative pursuits like those related to the arts, crafts and fashion.

“We are trying to promote Sarawak as a city that has life, heritage. We are very proud of the heritage, culture and apart from that, the types of tourists who will come in are good tourists – those who are able to appreciate arts and culture.

WAK attracts 56 creative groups staging 99 events

August 11, 2019

Abdul Karim hits a drum to reveal WAK 2019 calendar. Also seen from left are Hii, Tan and Sharzede (fourth left).

KUCHING: Locals and visitors can look forward to many activities at What About Kuching (WAK) 2019 from Sept 28 to Oct 27.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the unique festival driven by the community for the community is a true partnership between the public and private sectors exemplifying our cohesiveness as Sarawakians with passionate creative talents coming together to stage exciting events for a growing local and visiting audience.

“The third edition of WAK is the largest with 56 creative groups staging 99 different events with a total of 315 daily activities.

Ministry to consider Sibu-Singapore direct flight

August 05, 2019

Abdul Karim holds a saxophone during a photo-call with Hii (left), Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman Robert Lau (right), Gracie (fourth right) and others.

SIBU: The highly-requested Sibu-Singapore direct flight will be given due consideration, says Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He points out that with the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office now open in Singapore, the time is right to consider the request.

“It is probably a good time to consider (the request) but then, we will need a lot of discussions on this,” he told reporters after the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) showcase at a hotel here on Saturday night.

S’wak looks to woo more China visitors in 2020

August 5, 2019

Abdul Karim is joined by tour operators from China in this photo call. Lee and Hii are at third right and second right respectively.

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is confident of attracting more tourists and investors from China to Sarawak next year, following a recent working visit to Chengdu, China where various collaborations were discussed with Chinese counterparts.

Among the meetings held by the state delegation led by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, was a courtesy call on China Express Air vice president Henry Ke Qiu.

Abdul Karim in a statement issued by his ministry said the meeting ended with promising results with the possible joint collaborations between the Sarawak government and China Express Air before the end of the year.

Rainforest in The City not to be missed — Abdul Karim

July 04, 2019

Abdul Karim (fourth left) and Snowdan (third left) hold up the LED Light Balls at the launch while others give the thumbs up. 

KUCHING: The public are urged not to miss Rainforest in The City (RITC) 2019 at Kuching Amphitheatre, Jalan Taman Budaya here.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said RITC, which offers a variety of exciting performances, is a ‘warm-up’ event before the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).

He said various interesting events such as cultural performances, music, nature and food of ethnic Sarawakians as well as hi-tech lighting arrangements are in store for visitors.

‘Turn Sifma into a yearly or biennial affair’

June 30, 2019

Abdul Karim, seen here with Snowdan arrives at the concert.

KUCHING: The inaugural ‘Sarawak International Festival of Music and Arts’ (Sifma) should be made a yearly or biennial affair, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“The way I see it, we should not let this festival to be a one-off festival. I would love to see it held as a yearly or biennially event.

“With proper organisation and talented musicians in Sarawak, we could make this festival into another music event like the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), especially when we will have a performing arts centre ready in the next two years,” he said at the opening ceremony of the ‘Sifma Gala Concert’ in the old DUN Complex here on Friday night.

What About Kuching back to celebrate arts, lifestyle

April 17, 2019

Abdul Karim and wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar (front row, sixth right) in a group photo with Snowdan (front row, fourth right), Hii (front row, fifth left), Tan (second row, fourth right), Sharzede (front row, third left) and other guests at the WAK 2019 Action Call Sundowner Party.

KUCHING: What About Kuching (WAK), the festival that celebrates arts, culture and lifestyle, is back for its third edition this year, running from Sept 28 to Oct 27.

The annual festival, which aims to support tourism, culture, heritage and the arts in a bold and innovative way, will gather talented communities from Sarawak and showcase their best efforts in the many genres of arts, culture and lifestyle.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says with WAK having received great response since its inception in 2017, the festival has the potential to become an international event where talents from other countries can also come here to showcase their creative talents.

Pembinaan infrastruktur di Taman Negara Gua Niah dilaksana tahun ini

April 04, 2014

KUCHING: Pembinaan infrastruktur merangkumi laluan dan jambatan gantung di Taman Negara Gua Niah akan mula dilaksanakan tahun ini selepas kabinet Sarawak meluluskan projek berkenaan.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata kementeriannya sedang menyiapkan kertas kabinet mengenai kos projek berkenaan.

“Ketua Menteri (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) telah mengarahkan agar pembinaan prasarana terutama laluan dan jambatan di Gua Niah dipercepatkan.

Sarawak terima agihan cukai pelancongan: Abdul Karim

April 04, 2019

BINCANG: Abdul Karim (dua kanan) mempengerusikan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pemandu Pelancongan Negeri Sarawak, semalam. 

KUCHING: Agihan 50 peratus cukai pelancongan bagi tahun 2017 hingga Disember 2018 berjumlah RM2.58 juta telah diberikan kepada Sarawak.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata kerajaan persekutuan menerusi Kementerian Kewangan telah menunaikan janji untuk mengagihkan cukai pelancongan negeri-negeri termasuk Sarawak pada suku pertama tahun ini.

“Kita baharu sahaja menerima (agihan 50 peratus) cukai pelancongan bagi tahun 2017 hingga penghujung 2018. Walaupun jumlahnya tidak begitu besar, saya sangat gembira kerana kerajaan persekutuan telah menunaikan janjinya,” katanya.

Agihan cukai pelancongan, Sarawak terima RM2.58 juta

April 03, 2019

Abdul Karim ketika mempengerusikan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pemandu Pelancongan Negeri Sarawak di sini, hari ini.

KUCHING: Sarawak sudah menerima agihan 50 peratus cukai pelancongan bagi tahun 2017 hingga Disember 2018 berjumlah RM2.58 juta.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata Kerajaan Persekutuan menerusi Kementerian Kewangan telah menunaikan janji untuk mengagihkan cukai pelancongan pada suku pertama tahun ini.

"Kita baharu sahaja menerima (agihan 50 peratus) cukai pelancongan bagi tahun 2017 hingga penghujung 2018.

Sarawak dijangka miliki satu lagi penerbangan terus

April 03, 2014

RASMI: Abdul Karim menandatangani replika plak sebagai simbolik pembukaan pejabat BESAC di Plaza Aurora di Kuching, semalam. Turut kelihatan Leo (dua kiri), Amelia (tiga kiri) dan Abang Karim (kanan) serta yang lain.

KUCHING: Sarawak dijangka mempunyai satu lagi penerbangan terus baharu iaitu Kuching-Jakarta, Indonesia.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, ia merupakan usaha Kerajaan Sarawak dalam menaik taraf perhubungan udaranya secara berperingkat.

“Saya baharu sahaja menerima panggilan daripada syarikat penerbangan AirAsia mengenai sektor penerbangan terus baharu iaitu Kuching-Jakarta.

AIFFA a platform for Asean unity, says minister

March 22, 2019

(From left) Hii, Abdul Karim, Mohd Mahyidin, U-Wei, actress Sangeeta Krishnasamy, Livan, Panchacharam, and actor/producer Jason Chong in a photo call at the networking reception.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) is a platform for unity among Southeast Asian countries, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said the festival, which brings together 10 nations through the language of films, provides the opportunity for Southeast Asian countries to enjoy each other’s stories and learn about shared similarities.

“In understanding our neighbours, we can help preserve our stability and continue to work on our national agendas,” he said at the AIFFA networking reception, held here recently.

Imbangi masa antara sukan digital dan fizikal: Abdul Karim

March 17, 2019

MULA!: Abdul Karim (kanan), Snowdan dan Hii melepaskan peserta bagi kategori veteran lelaki dan wanita sempena Program Larian Belia Sarawak 2019 di Le’ Park Dewan Suarah Kuching semalam.

KUCHING: Minat melampau golongan muda masa kini terhadap permainan video membimbangkan kerana ia menyumbang kepada pembangunan fizikal yang tidak sihat.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, meskipun permainan video kini telah diterima sebagai salah satu bidang sukan, namun ia perlu seimbang dengan sukan fizikal.

“Disebabkan terlalu terdedah dengan permainan video, golongan muda dilihat lupa akan aspek pembangunan fizikal.

German, S’wak firms ink MoU on tourism, culture, economic cooperation

March 7, 2019

(Standing left to right) Hii Chang Kee (permanent secretary to Ministry of Tourism Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports), Gerald Goh (advisor of Ethos Connect International Consulting Sdn Bhd), Lee, Abdul Karim, Junghanns, Guido Weiss (deputy CEO of HIK CCI Ostbrandenburg) and Wilson Sim (director of Ethos Connect International Consulting Sdn Bhd) at the signing of MoU between IHK and Ethos. Seen seated are Sim (left) and Woffling.

FRANKFURT: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster international tourism, culture and economic cooperation between Germany and Sarawak was signed on March 5 at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, IHK–Projektgesellschaft Ostbrandenburg, Berlin.

The MoU was signed between Ethos Connect International Consulting Sdn Bhd, represented by its managing director Sim Ling Ling, and IHK-Projekgesellschaft represented by its chief executive officer Peter Woffling.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Khim Shin and Claus Junghanns, mayor of Frankfurt Oder.

Bina badan: Buda menerima durian runtuh

March 03, 2019

INSENTIF: Abdul Karim menyerahkan cek insentif kepada Buda sambil disaksikan (dari kanan) Hii, Ong dan Villaivan di Kuching kelmarin.

KUCHING: Jaguh bina badan Sarawak, Buda Anchah menerima durian runtuh daripada kerajaan negeri berupa wang tunai berjumlah RM8,000 sebagai insentif kejayaan beliau pada Kejohanan Bina Badan dan Sukan Fizikal Dunia Ke-10 di Chiang Mai, Thailand, Disember lalu.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyampaikan sendiri cek insentif tersebut di pejabatnya, Bangunan Baitul Makmur di sini kelmarin.

Turut hadir Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Hii Chang Kee, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perbadanan Sukan Sarawak (PSS) Dr Ong Kong Swee dan Koordinator Majlis Sukan Negeri Sarawak (MSNS), Villaivan Jee Edmond.

Sarawak to host world badminton amateur tourney

February 23, 2019

Karim with (from left) Ong, Snowdan, Wu, Hii, Ting (third left, standing) and others giving the thumbs up during the press conference.

KUCHING: Former and current badminton superstars like Malaysia’s Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat as well as Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat are expected to grace the 26th World Masters Badminton Championship Kuching at the Sarawak Sports Complex, Petra Jaya from Oct 31 to Nov 3.

More than 3,000 shuttlers, officials and supporters, friends and family members from more than 20 countries will converge on Kuching for this event specially organised for non-professional players aged 25 and above.

It is also the largest amateur badminton tournament in the world.

“We are indeed honoured that Kuching, Sarawak was given the trust to be the host for this World Chinese Badminton Federation (WCBF) tournament which is held outside China for the third time after the Philippines and Thailand.

Sarawak pertama di Malaysia miliki ‘aerodome’

February 22, 2019

Abdul Karim bersama (duduk dari kanan) Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Hii Chang Kee, Presiden WCBF Wu Jun Yan, Menteri Muda Sukan Datuk Snowdan Lawan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perbadanan Sukan Sarawak (PSS) Dr Ong Kong Swee bergambar kenangan bersama wakil dari WCBF Sarawak dan WCBF.

KUCHING: Sarawak akan menjadi negeri pertama memiliki fasiliti aerodome yang akan digunakan sebagai venue penganjuran Kejohanan Badminton Masters Dunia Ke-26 diadakan dari 31 Oktober hingga 3 November 2019.

Menurut Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, pembelian stadium buatan dengan kos bernilai RM2.6 juta itu telah dibuat dan ia dijangka mula dipasang pada Julai depan di perkarangan parkir bersebelahan Stadium Negeri, Petra Jaya.

“Untuk mendapatkan 3,000 atlet bermain bermakna kita memerlukan gelanggang yang besar kerana gelanggang sedia ada tidak mencukupi.

80 varsity students from seven nations in ‘Night in the Museum’ event

February 9, 2019

Abdul Karim (second right) gets ready to cut the ribbon to launch the programme. Also seen from left are Hii, Fasihuddin and Suria.

KUCHING: About 80 university students from Thailand, Indonesia, Yemen, Laos, Brunei, Pakistan and host Malaysia are taking part in the ‘Night in the Museum’ programme here yesterday and today (Feb 9).

The programme organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) Faculty of Language and Communication entails the students spending two nights at Sarawak Museum and participating in a treasure hunt.

Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when launching the programme yesterday at the compound of the Sarawak Museum said it was a good idea to hold the programme to foster friendship among the students from the various universities.

‘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.

Sibu Central Market good tourism attraction, says Abdul Karim

January 31, 2019

Abdul Karim visits the `Tamu’ at Sibu Central Market, accompanied by Hii (third left), Tiong (fourth right), Tan (second right) and others.

SIBU: Sibu Central Market is a good tourism attraction as it depicts the life of the local populace, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah after visiting the central market yesterday.

Sibu Central Market houses over 1,000 traders and is touted as the biggest indoor market in Malaysia.

“It is a good tourism attraction as one can see the life of Sibu there….the kind of food they eat, the diverse communities selling their wares,” Abdul Karim said of the market.