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.

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.

BESarawak-Tribal Gathering helps to align business plans

March 21, 2019

KUCHING: Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) – Tribal Gathering of the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) is a useful guideline to align business plans and programmes in order to grow the business events sector in Sarawak.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said business events was an important contributor to the tourism industry and also a key area with an enormous impact in nation-building.

“I think all of us want Sarawak to enjoy more Business Events; more meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) that will bring positive impact to our local people, our economy and sustainability efforts,” he said in a text of speech read by Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim

Shin at the event held here yesterday.

‘Federal government still owes Sarawak RM2.7 million in tourism tax’

January 5, 2019

Abdul Karim promotes the awards with (from right) Hii, Lee, Abdul Wahab and Audry.

KUCHING: The federal government still owes Sarawak around RM2.7 million in tourism tax.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah disclosed this during a press conference for the Sarawak Tourism Awards 2017/2018 on Thursday.

“At the State Assembly sitting last November, I also mentioned that we had not received the payment of tourism tax revenue from the federal government.

Sarawak owed RM2.7 mln of tourism tax revenue

January 4, 2019

Karim with (from right) Hii, Lee, Wahab and Audry during the press conference.

KUCHING: Sarawak has yet to receive revenue from tourism taxes amounting to around RMRM2.7 million from the federal government.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during a press conference after the launching of the Sarawak Tourism Awards 2017/2018 at the Old Court building on Thursday evening (Jan 3).

“At the State Assembly sitting last November, I have also mentioned that we have not received the payment of the tourism tax revenue from the federal government. I do not know what is the reason behind it but we will continue to push for it,” he said.

SHTA highlights relevancy of Visit Sarawak 2019 campaign

 January 4, 2019

Abdul Karim signs the board that bears the SHTA 2019 logo to mark the launch. Seen behind him is Lee, while Hii stands at right. In the background are (from right) Abdul Aziz and Audry. 

KUCHING: The hosting of the Eighth Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards (SHTA) is regarded as being the most relevant to the Visit Sarawak 2019 campaign, when it comes to further establishing Sarawak on the world’s tourism map.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the organisation of the awards programme would serve not only to motivate the winners, but also to motivate others in the local tourism industry.

“This is the eighth time that we are organising this bi-annual event and I am pleased to announce that this year’s theme is ‘On Fire for Sarawak’.

Govt mulls new sports complex for Miri

December 2, 2018

Abdul Karim (third left) and other guests present a mock cheque to Matassan (second left) who represents the Miri Youth Association.

MIRI: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is considering building a new integrated sports complex here in view of the rising demand from Mirians, especially youths.

Its minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said his ministry will work out the best possible way to realise this as it looks for a suitable site and seeks funding.

“We will strive to make sure the dream of people in Miri to have an integrated sports complex here becomes a reality,” he said when launching the Miri City Beach Youth Festival 2018 at Luak Esplanade here on Friday.

Miri integrated sports complex soon a reality

December 1, 2018

Abdul Karim making a donation into the Tabung Pembangunan Belia box as a sign of support for the festival organiser during the launching ceremony. Also seen are Lee (left), Ting (third right) and Ripin on Ting’s right.

MIRI: The dream of youths in Miri to have an integrated sports complex in this resort city will soon become a reality.

In giving this assurance, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said his ministry will work out the best possible ways to help realise the dream, including finding a suitable site for the complex and seeking funds for it.

“We will work this out and make sure the dream of youths in Miri to have an integrated sports complex in this city becomes a reality,” said Abdul Karim in his officiating speech at the launching ceremony of Miri Beach Youth Festival at Luak Esplanade here yesterday evening.

Work together with govt to develop people’s economy, Sarawakians reminded

November 21, 2018

Abdul Karim (front, fourth right) – flanked by Zuraini and Lee (front, sixth left) – joins (front row, from right) Ting, Sherrina and Abdul Aziz in a group photo before leading the Maulidur Rasul procession.

MIRI: Sarawakians should strive to seize every opportunity presented by the government, towards developing the people’s economy together.

In stating this, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah points out that the Sarawak government is always committed to developing the people’s economy and now, all possible efforts towards developing world-class information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure are being implemented actively.

“All these efforts are to ensure that our country is developing more quickly, according to the present situation. Therefore, we should support such efforts and grab any opportunity to compete towards a brighter future.

Five million target set for 2019

October 18, 2018

(From left) Tourism Malaysia International Promotion Division (Asia/Africa) senior director Datuk Musa Yusuf, Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Abdul Karim, Sharzede, STB chairman Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz, STB deputy chairman Hii Chang Kee and Tourism Malaysia Domestic and Events senior director Datuk Dr Ammar Ghapar flanked by traditional dancers at the launch.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is targeting the arrival of five million tourists in 2019 following the launch of the Visit Sarawak logo.

State Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the estimate is the same as in 2017.

“Last year, we targeted five million as well but we achieved 4.85 million tourists visiting Sarawak.

Abdul Karim: Get everybody involved in arts and culture

September 9, 2018

Abdul Karim (centre) receives a memento from Foo (second right) during the launch of WAK 2018 calendar of events. Looking on are (from left) Tan, Lee and Hii.

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wants everybody to get involved in arts and culture.

He said that it is beautiful to see young people of Kuching show their talents and turn Kuching into an exciting place.

“We can see Kuching has lots of talent. We want to see them giving back to society,” he said during the launch of the WAK 2018 calendar of events at Old Courthouse here on Wednesday.

Proposed: Consortium to harness Sarawak’s vast tourism potential

July 28, 2018

(From right) Abdul Karim and Lee chat with Chiam about Matta Fair Miri 2018.

MIRI: Tourism operators should look into setting up a consortium to fully harness the huge potential in Sarawak slated for the international market.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah believes that such idea would not only boost Sarawak tourism, but would also serve as its new engine of economic growth.

“My personal view on consortium is just like the concept of a bank merger – ideally, this concept is to make the banking institution stronger.

‘Maintenance of public amenities done according to procedures’

July 17, 2018

Abdul Karim (seated, second left) speaks at the news conference. Seen seated from left are Snowdan, Lee and Hii.

THE Sarawak government adheres to standard procedures when it comes to deciding how to carry out maintenance works on public amenities across the state.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said when a public amenity is reported to be faulty, the authorities concerned would seek professional advice before taking action.

In the case of the malfunctioning air conditioner at the Petroleum Museum in Miri, he said the problem was first referred to the Public Works Department (JKR), which advised the ministry to have it repaired.

Tourism players urged to join more events

March 10, 2018

KUCHING: Tourism players should be more proactive when it comes to participation in any event or forum meant to boost the sector.

In this regard, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stresses the importance for them to keep abreast with the latest trends to remain relevant in the field, especially through the use of social media for promotion.

“With so much potential and demands, we are confident that with the right development and marketing initiatives for our (tourism) destinations, Sarawak and Malaysia will shine on the world stage,” he said at the official opening of the 12th Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Sarawak Fair in Boulevard Shopping Mall here yesterday.

Ministry holds farewell dinner for Ik Pahon

January 12, 2018

Ik Pahon (third left) seen receiving a memento from Abdul Karim (fifth right) during the dinner on Wednesday. Also seen are Lee (fourth right), Snowdan (fourth left) and others.

KUCHING: The Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry hosted a dinner to say goodbye to the ministry’s outgoing permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik on Wednesday.

The minister, in his speech at the dinner, praised Ik Pahon for his work with the ministry, describing him as a person who has vast experience and will certainly do a great job as permanent secretary of another ministry.

“Ik Pahon has been dedicated in serving this ministry. 

3.72 juta pelancong lawat Sarawak setakat September

November 16, 2017

Peningkatan 9.81 peratus berbanding tempoh sama tahun lalu, jana resit pelancongan dianggarkan RM6.9 bilion

PERSIDANGAN: Karim bersama Menteri Muda Pelancongan, Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Datuk Lee Kim Shim melihat ucapan penggulungan bagi kementeriannya pada Persidangan DUN di Kompleks DUN, Kuching, semalam.

KUCHING: Sarawak menerima 3.72 juta pelancong dari Januari hingga September tahun ini, pe-ningkatan sebanyak 9.81 peratus berbanding tempoh yang sama pada tahun lalu.

Menteri Pelancongan, Ke-senian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, ia telah menjana resit pelancongan yang dianggarkan berjumlah RM6.9 bilion.

Menurut beliau, berdasarkan trend lalu, purata ketibaan untuk bulan Oktober hingga Disember, kementeriannya menjangkakan kedatangan lima juta pelawat ke Sarawak pada 2017 iaitu peningkatan sebanyak 7.3 peratus berbanding 4.66 juta pada 2016.

Inaugural ‘Sarawak Adventure Challenge: The Lost Mines’ to be held Oct 14 in Bau

July 18, 2017

Abdul Karim (fifth right) seen holding fliers for the event together with Lee (centre), Henry (fourth right), Miro (third right), Ik Pahon (second right) and other officials after the press conference yesterday.

KUCHING: The state government will organise a first-of-its-kind multi-sport adventure event, called the ‘Sarawak Adventure Challenge: The Lost Mines’, in Bau this year.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the event will be staged on Oct 14 and will offer cash prizes of over RM33,000.

“Sarawak is renowned for its rainforests, rivers and scenery, and the race route will take competitors through some spectacular landscape. Over the course of the event, competitors will cover more than 40 kilometres of mountain biking, more than 14 kilometres of trail-running, as well as a caving section,” he said during a press conference yesterday.