Latest news with #Tourism
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Barnama
ROUND 2025 Showcases Unity Through Cultural Exchange
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN-Korea Music Festival (ROUND) 2025 was officially launched here this evening by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, in a vibrant ceremony celebrating unity through music and cultural exchange. The event brought together diplomats, cultural leaders, artists and guests from ASEAN member states and the Republic of Korea, marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation. Khairul Firdaus highlighted the festival's theme, 'Come Around, Here to Shine', as a reflection of Malaysia's commitment to fostering a new model of cultural diplomacy under its ASEAN Chairmanship this year. 'Through the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival, we reaffirm the importance of cultural exchange as a conduit for social cohesion, deepening our mutual understanding and strengthening the bonds between the people of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea,' he said in a statement today. He added that Malaysia continues to prioritise creative and cultural cooperation as a vital tool for people-to-people connectivity and regional development, in line with the spirit of Malaysia MADANI – an inclusive framework promoting sustainability, compassion and mutual respect. The two-day festival, jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), features performances by acclaimed artists from both ASEAN and Korea. Meanwhile, Republic of Korea Ambassador to Malaysia Yeo Seung-bae, said the festival comes at an opportune time as Korea hosts APEC and Malaysia chairs ASEAN in 2025. 'Korea's hosting of APEC and Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship this year offer a timely and valuable opportunity to elevate our cooperation to the next level. 'Building on this shared vision at the leadership level, our two countries are set to pursue a broad range of collaborative initiatives with cultural exchange taking centre stage,' he said.
Borneo Post
5 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Craft Council formed under new ordinance to boost local industry
Abdul Karim says the industry had previously lacked a formal administrative structure. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 20): Sarawak's craft industry will undergo structured development with the establishment of the Sarawak Craft Council, following the gazettement of the Sarawak Craft Council Ordinance 2023 on May 1 this year. The ordinance provides a legal framework to promote and develop the local craft sector while uniting communities through Sarawak's artistic and cultural heritage. State Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the industry had previously lacked a formal administrative structure. 'In the past, the Sarawak Craft Council was only run by a manager. Now, with this ordinance, we have a chief executive officer ― Suriya Charles Baos,' he said during a press conference after chairing the council's first official meeting here today. He also announced the appointment of the council's board members, including renowned crafts expert Edric Ong, Tanoti Sdn Bhd founder Dato Jacqueline Fong, and Sarawak Crafts Association for Rural Community Development president Nur Rahmah Ranong Abdullah. He noted that the board selection reflects Sarawak's ethnic diversity. 'We want all races to feel represented,' he said. Abdul Karim himself has been appointed as chairman of the council, while his deputy, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, serves as deputy chairman. He said the council is tasked with introducing a branding mechanism ― such as 'Sarawak Best' ― to ensure local crafts are recognised as high-quality products capable of competing in the global market. In addition, the council will play a role in setting benchmark pricing to protect the value of local crafts, as well as organising regular expos and seminars, including the biennial Borneo Global Craft event. He said the council will also explore strategic partnerships with corporate entities such as Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, to empower rural craft makers. 'If we can successfully develop craft communities in longhouses or villages, they can earn extra income. This will not only help uplift the household economy, but also preserve the heritage,' he said. Abdul Karim expressed confidence that the Sarawak Craft Council will evolve into an independent institution capable of managing the state's craft industry in a more organised and sustainable manner. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah sarawak craft council
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Cambodia Airways Launches Phnom Penh-Penang Flight To Spur Visit Malaysia 2026
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing delivering his speech at the launching of Visit Malaysia 2026 in Phnom Penh. By Vijian Paramasivam PHNOM PENH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Cambodia Airways's inaugural direct flight from Phnom Penh to Penang, set to take off on June 26, is poised to boost tourist flow in tandem with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. Malaysia's Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing when launching the flight on Thursday in Phnom Penh said the move dovetails with Tourism Malaysia's efforts to prioritise improved connectivity between the two countries as part of its strategy to position Malaysia as a key tourism destination in ASEAN. bootstrap slideshow 'This important milestone will significantly enhance connectivity between our two countries and open new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange,' he said at the launch held in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 and Malaysia My Second Home campaigns in Phnom Penh. Cambodian Tourism Minister Huot Hak was the special guest at the event. An Airbus A319 aircraft with a capacity of 150 seats will ply the route twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays, catering to tourists and business travellers from Malaysia, Cambodia and other nations. Tiong said the event was a renewed promise to work hand in hand with Cambodian partners, building a bridge of opportunity for travellers, businesses, and communities across both nations. 'We are not just promoting destinations. We are co-creating experiences that are authentic, accessible and inclusive, and we see Cambodia as a vital part of that journey. 'Malaysia and Cambodia share more than just geography. We are linked by history, culture and the common aspiration to grow sustainably through tourism.
The Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Hun Manet urges Malaysia, Cambodia to bolster tourism synergy
FILE PHOTO: High-rise buildings are seen past a tourist boat sailing along the Mekong river in Phnom Penh on September 4, 2023. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged both governments to explore opportunities to bolster tourism between the two countries. - AFP PHNOM PENH: Malaysia and Cambodia plan to collaborate and explore untapped potentials in tourism, which is a key revenue-generating sector for both countries. During a meeting with Malaysia's Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged both governments to explore opportunities to bolster tourism between the two countries. "Both sides (need) to explore opportunities for sub-national tourism cooperation, such as city-to-city and province-to-province partnerships and to further promote mutual understanding and cultural exchange,' Manet told the visiting minister during the meeting at the Peace Palace on Thursday (June 19), reported state media Agence Kampuchea Presse. Tiong was leading a delegation to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 to the Cambodian market. Both ministers acknowledged the importance of tourism in fostering economic development and regional connectivity. Tiong also made a courtesy call to Senate President Hun Sen at the Senate Palace in Phnom Penh. The former prime minister echoed the need for Cambodia and Malaysia to explore the untapped potential of tourism, for example, by increasing direct flights to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, reported the state media. - Bernama
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Hun Manet Urges Malaysia, Cambodia To Bolster Tourism Synergy
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and his Cambodian counterpart, Huot Hak, at the launch. Tourism Malaysia Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing delivering his speech at the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026 in Phnom Penh. Tourism Malaysia By Vijian Paramasivam PHNOM PENH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Cambodia plan to collaborate and explore untapped potential in tourism, which is a key revenue-generating sector for both countries. During a meeting with Malaysia's Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged both governments to explore opportunities to bolster tourism between the two countries. bootstrap slideshow 'Both sides (need) to explore opportunities for sub-national tourism cooperation, such as city-to-city and province-to-province partnerships and to further promote mutual understanding and cultural exchange,' Manet told the visiting minister during the meeting at the Peace Palace on Thursday, reported state media Agence Kampuchea Presse. Tiong was leading a delegation to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 to the Cambodian market. Both ministers acknowledged the importance of tourism in fostering economic development and regional connectivity. Tiong also made a courtesy call to Senate President Hun Sen at the Senate Palace in Phnom Penh. The former prime minister echoed the need for Cambodia and Malaysia to explore the untapped potential of tourism, for example, by increasing direct flights to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, reported the state media. -- BERNAMA
