Sarawak will not adopt Putrajaya’s concert guidelines

Sarawak government will not adopt the Federal government’s new guidelines for foreign artistes who are keen to perform locally because we already have our own set of guidelines for concerts.

But, of course, we do not want to see foreign artistes performing naked on stage. There are certain rules that they have to follow, but we have to be flexible. I have mentioned to our media friends on past occasion where two foreign artistes who took part in last year’s Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak would not have been allowed to perform in other states because of their attire and performance. There will be no way for them to get a permit if they were to perform in Kuala Lumpur, but we had allowed it. Such situation had reflected the independence or autonomy that we have here in Sarawak, we can make our own decisions.”

I was interviewed by our media friends on the concerns raised stakeholders in the entertainment industry on impacts of the new guidelines for concerts which will come into effect in 2024. It prohibits foreign artistes from holding large concerts and live performances on the eve of Islamic public holidays and on the holiday itself.

The prohibition also covers the entire month of Ramadan, Awal Muharram, Maulidur Rasul, Israk Mikraj, Nisfu Sya’ban, Nuzul Quran, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha. Male foreign artistes are also prohibited from cross-dressing as women, and both male and female foreign acts are strictly not allowed from removing any clothing during their performance.

Defending Malaysia's Ministry of Youth and Sports "Jom Ziarah Gereja" programme

I have expressed my personal views on the recent controversy over the "Jom Ziarah Gereja" programme which organised by Malaysia's Ministry of Youth and Sports in which it is a noble effort. It was good for the people of different religions and backgrounds where they can understand the faith of others. 

I have come to the defence of our Federal Youth and Sports Minister, YB Hannah Yeoh because she had good intentions of promoting harmony and tolerance especially among young Malaysians. It was a shame that her intentions had been misconstrued by others as an attempt to convert the Muslims.

I think we do not have that problem in Sarawak. A lot of us, including myself, go to mission schools, and we can understand each other. I even took up Scripture in Form Five. Bible Knowledge was one of the subjects that I took. It does not make me less Muslim, it does not convert me or make me leave my religion.

Don't tell me Muslims are so low in understanding or in their faith, that when you bring them to a church they would convert. As a Muslim, I feel ashamed with people like this coming up with 'masuk ziarah gereja, terus terpikat' (visit a church, be captivated immediately). To me, YB Yeoh's detractors had likely made their claims for political mileage.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Sarawak United National Youth Organization (SABERKAS)

Last weekend we launched the 50th golden jubilee anniversary celebration of our Sarawak United National Youth Organization (SABERKAS) and it was done on a modest scale at Padang SLPAS of Jalan Muhibbah, Satok. As president of the organization, I urged our members to continue their good job in reaching out to our local youths from all strata of the society.

We need to keep up the good work and SABERKAS has succeeded in producing many high-calibre leaders in the state. This was proven during the 15th General Election whereby many candidates from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) are our members. If I’m not mistaken, there were around 11 Saberkas members who contested as GPS candidates in the last Sarawak's 15th General Election (GE15), 

Over the years, Saberkas had organised numerous programmes for every level of society regardless of race and ethnic background. This is because we are an non-governmental organisation (NGO) that can bring benefits to all races in Sarawak. It is the responsibility of our organization to ensure that friendly ties between all races remain close without any racial issues arising. 

All round support to Safe Sports Code by Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS)

We are all out to support the introduction of the Safe Sports Code by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) which covers the rights and welfare of our country’s athletes and sports community. The code which was officially launched by our Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Puan Hannah Yeoh on March 16 will serve as a guideline for a safe sports environment that emphasises the roles and responsibilities of all parties in dealing with any form of harassment and abuse.

I was also invited to represent Sarawak in the signing ceremony by all youth and sports Exco from various states who gave their full support towards the good initiative which is the way forward for the Malaysian sports fraternity to develop further.

It could also strengthen the aspect of integrity in the governance of sports bodies and the national sports ecosystem as a whole. Apart from that, the code defines the types of misconduct that occur in sports based on international guidelines as well as local laws. Such move would increase the public’s knowledge and awareness of harassment and abuse in sports.

The defined roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders such as athletes, coaches, sports bodies, parents and sports-related organisations are included as well as existing reporting mechanisms that all relevant individuals can use.

The code covers the procedures to be adopted to handle complaints about harassment and abuse in the sports industry, in place of the Safe Sports Act, which will be introduced in the future. It will apply to all sports tournaments including this year’s Malaysia School Sports Council (MSSM) tournament which starts on July 15.

The code is to ensure a safe ecosystem for children to play sports and a more binding space in the context of ensuring they are protected including from sexual harassment, bullying, grooming and so on. It is based on the Olympics code which includes aspects of ethics, protection, the role of parents and the sports community as well as access to lodge complaints involving sexual harassment and bullying incidents.

We are ready to host the 21st edition of Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in 2024

We are ready to host the 21st edition of Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in 2024 and Sarawak is up to the task of hosting the nation's largest sporting event. We are delighted that Sarawak was officially named as the host for Sukma 2024, taking the Games back to the state for the third time after the 1990 and 2016 editions.

I have mentioned to our media friends in Putrajaya that before this, it was announced that Sarawak can be the next Sukma host and I had brought this matter up in the Sarawak Cabinet meeting and it was agreed that we can host the 21st Sukma. We were optimistic of hosting the next Sukma because there is enough facilities to host the Games except for a velodrome for track cycling.

The Sukma 2024 competitions will not only in Kuching but also in other divisions including Miri, Sibu and Sri Aman. We thanked Federal's Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Puan Hannah Yeoh and members of the Sukma Supreme Committee for their support in giving the hosting job to Sarawak. Our Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak will meeting soon together with all the sports associations, government departments and agencies to ensure we will be ready to host the Games successfully.