Departure levy expect to affect tourist arrivals – Abdul Karim

November 30, 2018

SIBU: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes there would definitely be some effect on the tourism industry in Malaysia with the imposition of the departure levy.

He points out that any increase in cost would be a deterrent to would be tourists coming to the country.

He, however, added that how bad it will affect tourist arrival has yet to be seen.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman was today asked to comment on Institute of Malaysian and International Studies director, Prof Dr Sufian Jusoh’s statement that the implementation of the departure levy on all passengers departing Malaysian airports was expected to affect tourist arrivals to the country.

SESA to host Sarawak’s first ever Esports expo

November 30, 2018

Afiq (left) and SESA committee members with Abdul Karim (seated centre) after briefing the minister on the Sarawak Esports Expo at the latter’s office at Bangunan Baitulmakmur in Petra Jaya recently.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Esports Association (SESA) will be organising the Sarawak Esports Expo at Cityone Megamall from Dec 7 to 9.

SESA founder and president Afiq Fadhil Narawi said there will be lots of activities including PC Gaming tournaments, VR experience, PS4 (FIFA & Fighting Games), Steaming & Casting, and Esports Forum and Dialogue during the Expo.

“This is the first ever Esports expo to be held in Sarawak and it is aimed at giving awareness and educating the public especially the parents and corporate sector about the real value and opportunities in the Esports industry.

No such promise, minister says on Sukma gold incentive shortchange claim

November 29, 2018

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says he ‘cannot recall’ promising Sukma gold medalists a reward of RM5,000 for their first medal, and RM7,000 for each subsequent medal.

Refuting allegations that the athletes were ‘shortchanged’, he said the RM3,000-incentive paid to gold medal winners was only decided after the 19th Sukma in Perak had ended.

“There is no shortchange (of incentive) as there were no (such) promises in the first place.

Sukma gold medalists not shortchanged – Abdul Karim

November 28, 2018

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has clarified that the Sukma gold medalists were not shortchanged when they were paid RM3,000 as incentives instead of alleged promises of RM5,000 for first gold and RM7,000 for the subsequent golds.

“There is no shortchange as there was no promises in the first place,” he said in responding to media reports on allegation of unfairness over the distribution of of incentives to this year state Sukma gold, silver and bronze medalists.

This issue on incentive arose when a national news portal reported that six athletes from Sarawak were not happy with the alleged shortchange and failure by the State Sports Council to fulfill its promises.

Kerajaan cuba bersikap adil agih insentif kepada semua pemenang pingat SUKMA

November 28, 2018

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menegaskan bahawa kerajaan negeri cuba bersikap adil dalam pengagihan insentif kepada semua atlet Sarawak yang memenangi pingat pada Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) lalu.

“Kita tidak dapat memuaskan hati semua orang tetapi perlu bersikap adil dalam pemberian insentif. Pada SUKMA lepas, Sarawak memberi RM5,000 kepada pemenang pingat emas, RM750 kepada pemenang perak dan RM500 kepada pemenang gangsa.

“Jurang insentif antara pingat emas dan perak atau gangsa terlalu besar sedangkan atlet yang memenangi perak dan gangsa juga berusaha untuk berada di atas podium.