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New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Jakarta has greenlighted resumption of Pontianak-Kuching flights, says Sarawak minister
KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said the Indonesian president had given the clearance to resume flights between the suspended Pontianak-Kuching route. The route was suspended in the middle of March 2020 due to travel restrictions brought about by the Covid‑19 pandemic. Despite being a temporary move, flights on the route remained stayed suspended even after travel restrictions were lifted as countries adapted to the pandemic. "They're opening up their skies," Karim told journalists covering the Rainforest World Music Festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong. "We've been asking and asking… restart the Pontianak-Kuching flights. But clearance was not given. "And recently, I was made to understand that they are opening up their skies," he added. The minister said it's now up to the airlines to start operating the route again. Karim said the route had much potential and it could be as profitable as the Kuching-Jakarta route. "The flight frequency from Kuching-Jakarta used to be once a day. Now, it's already twice a day. The (passenger) load is high either way. So, there's big potential there." The route, he said, therefore does not benefit Sarawak only, but It will also benefit people in Pontianak. "Instead of driving four to five hours (from Kuching ) to Pontianak, they might as well just fly half an hour. That will definitely benefit the tourism industry in Pontianak."
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Sarawak seeking to list Delta Geopark Project as Unesco Global Geopark
KUCHING: Sarawak, which is home to two Unesco world heritage sites, plans to list its Delta Geopark Project as a Unesco Global Geopark. State Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said today that the Museum Department is collaborating with the Sarawak Forestry Department to prepare for an evaluation visit by Unesco's assessor panel for the geopark project. The visit is from June 23 to 26. He said as part of the evaluation, the assessors will visit key sites, including the Borneo Cultures Museum, Bukit Maras and Sungai Jaong archaeological sites, and the Semeba Schist Tuang. "This field evaluation represents a crucial step in the Delta Geopark's journey towards being recognised as a Unesco Global Geopark." Last month, he told the state legislative assembly that the state's eco-tourism development strategy aligned with Sarawak's aspiration to have the Delta Geopark listed as a Global Geopark. He said as a geopark, it "aims to integrate the conservation of geological, biological, and cultural heritage with sustainable development and education". He added his ministry will incorporate the Sarawak Delta Geopark "within the broader tourism network or framework". To do this, he said his ministry and related agencies are mapping, developing and packaging geo-tourism in the geopark area, particularly Padawan, Bau and well as Santubong. The new geo-tourism products, he said, will be promoted through tour operators and designed to complement tourism offerings. Sarawak's two World Heritage Sites are the Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah Caves National Park. Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia that has more than one heritage site. Karim said these recognitions offer opportunities to boost Sarawak's tourism sector. Sarawak, he added, will develop marketing campaigns that highlight the World Heritage Site status of Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah Caves National Park. These campaigns will also showcase the parks' natural, geological and archaeological feaures to attract environmentally conscious, and adventure-seeking tourists. He said Sarawak is also collaborating with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and ICOMOS Malaysia to preserve and promote its cultural and natural heritage.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Century-old goldsmithing tools, Sei whale skeleton to go on display in city museums
KUCHING: A set of century-old traditional equipment once used by one of the city's most prominent goldsmiths could soon be added to the list of new exhibits in one of the museums in the state capital here. Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said they could go on display as new exhibits at the Borneo Cultures Museum or the Natural History Museum after the documentation process had been completed. The equipment, which comprised a work station, hand tools and a blowtorch with a mini gas cylinder, were donated to the Sarawak Museum Department by Teo Keng Boon, the grandson of the esteemed goldsmith Teo Chai Seng. The equipment and tools were those normally used to convert gold bars into plates and wires, which were subsequently fashioned into jewellery. Teo even donated the signboard of his grandfather's shop, Chop Swee Hin. The shop was originally located at No. 11, Jalan Rock, until 1950, before it shifted to No. 8, China Street in the city centre on Oct 18, 1988. The business closed down permanently on Nov 29, 2005. Another item that will be exhibited is the skeleton of a 13-metre Sei whale that the Museum Department managed to obtain in November last year. The skeleton is from the remains of a whale found floating off the waters of Pulau Seduku near Batang Luparin in Sri Aman Division in Nov 19 last year. The remains subsequently got trapped in the structure of a bridge under construction near the Triso ferry terminal. The carcass was retrieved by a team from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) on Nov 22 last year for study. DNA testing confirmed that it was a Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), marking the first time the species was found in Sarawak waters. Now part of the museum's zoology collection, it is the largest whale specimen ever obtained and holds significant value for research and exhibition, Karim said. He added that the skeleton would be exhibited at the Natural History Museum, or generally known to locals as "the old museum". At a press conference after the post Sarawak Heritage Council meeting today, Karim said the Borneo Cultures Museum, built at the cost of RM323 million, remained a prominent state attraction. The "new museum", he said, had drawn more than 1.35 million visitors since its opening in March 2022. He said up to June 16, there were a total of 117,095 visitors recorded in the museum. Among the notable visitors were Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who visited the museum twice in November last year and in February this year; Ugandan Energy and Minerals Minister Ruth Nankabirwa and her delegation; the Ambassador of Norway to Malaysia Morten Paulsen, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Malaysia Chantal Moser, and a delegation from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Karim said the Cultures Museum had generated more than RM9.42 million in ticket sales since its opening in 2022. "Beyond ticketing, the rental of facilities such as the auditorium, function room, temporary exhibition room and arts & crafts gallery has also drawn strong interest, contributing an additional RM 334,000.00 in revenue," he added. "This strong response highlights the Cultures Museum's growing reputation as a premier venue for events, exhibitions and public engagement. "This year, the museum has generated RM 9,763,801.00 in revenue up to May 31."
Borneo Post
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Lawas to host inaugural International Dragon Boat and Cultural Festival this May 22–25
File photo of a dragon boat race during the Sarawak Regatta last year in Kuching. – Photo by Chimon Upon MIRI (May 15): Lawas town will host its inaugural International Dragon Boat and Cultural Festival from May 22 to 25, an event anticipated to attract large crowds of both locals and tourists. Organising chairman Liaw Cheng Heng announced that the festival will be a multifaceted cultural celebration featuring dragon boat races, traditional folk dance performances by 25 ethnic groups, and a vibrant food fair. The highlight of the four-day programme will be the exciting dragon boat competition featuring 28 teams from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and the Federal Territory of Labuan, said Liaw. 'This festival brings together cultural expression, sport, and food festivals in one major event,' he said in the statement. Organised by the Lawas Chinese Cultural Welfare and Expedition Association, the event will also include stage performances by both local and foreign artistes, as well as exhibitions and sales of local food, handicrafts, and daily essentials by small-scale entrepreneurs and hawkers. Liaw emphasised that the festival aims to promote tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage, while also fostering unity and cooperation through traditional sporting events such as dragon boat racing. 'The event will significantly benefit the local economy by creating platforms for entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products and services from across the region and beyond,' he added. Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan is expected to officiate the festival's opening ceremony. The event is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, as well as various government agencies and local authorities in Lawas. Cultural Festival International Dragon Boat Lawas lead
Borneo Post
02-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
RM350,000 RTP grant to repair surau, hall in Kpg Lereng Bukit
Ting (third right) inspects the condition of the multipurpose hall in Kampung Lereng Bukit, accompanied by Aminudin (left) and Samad (right). MIRI (May 2): Repair works will soon be carried out at the surau and multipurpose hall of Kampung Lereng Bukit with a Rural Transformation Project (RTP) grant totalling RM350,000 allocated by Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting. Ting, who was accompanied by Penghulu Samad Alip and Kampung Lereng Bukit village chief Aminudin Morshidi, and representatives from the District Office and Public Works Department (JKR) visited the two sites today. According to Ting, RM200,000 will be allocated for repairs to the multipurpose hall, while RM150,000 will go towards upgrading the surau. 'All matters and repair details have been communicated. We will also access the necessary works on site,' he said. During the site visit, Ting noted that the hall had a leaking roof and damaged fencing. Ting, who is also the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, said the allocation was approved under the RTP fund. 'We want the project to be implemented as soon as possible. Discussions will also be held with community leaders and residents here,' he added. He confirmed that the JKR has been appointed as the implementing agency for the projects. In addition, Ting disclosed that an RTP allocation of RM200,000 has also been approved for SK Luak Miri. He expressed hope that all projects will be implemented and completed within this year. Kampung Lereng Bukit multipurpose hall RTP Sebastian Ting surau
