Latest news with #PetronasYouthFootballClosedTournament
Borneo Post
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
RWMF 2025 draws more families, paves way for bigger celebrations ahead
Abdul Karim speaks to reporters during the press conference. – Photo by Agnes Tugong KUCHING (June 26): This year's Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), which just concluded, recorded 22,148 attendees, fewer than last year's 26,000, said Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. However, he said the shift in audience demographics reflects a growing trend of family-based tourism and higher-spending visitors to Sarawak, noting that the festival remained a success despite the marginal drop in attendance. 'It might be fewer than last year, but what we're seeing is more families attending together, which is a good sign of bonding and inclusivity,' he told reporters after the Petronas Youth Football Closed Tournament press conference here today. Abdul Karim added that 2026 and 2027 would be milestone years for RWMF, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2027. 'We've already started planning with the CEO of the Sarawak Tourism Board to make the next two editions even bigger in conjunction with the 30th celebration,' he said. He also acknowledged rising competition in the regional music scene, especially following the post-pandemic surge in concerts across Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Manila. 'Now, almost every month, you have big names performing in the region. 'Ticket prices are high, so people may choose to attend concerts elsewhere rather than travel to Kuching again,' he noted. To address this, Abdul Karim said the state government continues to support event organisers through seed funding to help lower ticket prices and make local events more accessible. 'That's why you go to RWMF, you just need to pay RM200 plus. 'Whereas if you go to a concert in Singapore, it would cost you probably RM1,000,' he said. On Sarawak's overall tourism performance, he said that while visitor arrivals from January to May this year were slightly lower compared to the same period in 2024, tourism receipts had increased significantly. 'If we look at January to May and also look at the number of visitors in Sarawak this year and last year, last year was slightly more. 'But tourism receipts, we have much more,' he said. He attributed the stronger earnings to an increase in foreign tourist arrivals, who tend to spend more during their stays. 'From January to May, we recorded over RM1 billion in tourism receipts every month, which reflects the increased spending power of international visitors,' he said. Abdul Karim emphasised that the value of tourism lies not just in the number of visitors, but also in the quality of experiences and the broader economic impact. 'That's why we have got sport events, we have got musical events, we have food and culture events, we have got 'What About Kuching' (WAK), which will cater for the youth. 'So when everyone is being looked after, there is something for everyone,' he said. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah Rainforest World Music Festival rwmf
Borneo Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
S'wak Deputy Minister backs Fazzrudin for FAS presidency
Rentap expressee his hope that Fazzrudin will secure the presidency at the upcoming FAS Annual General Meeting scheduled for June 14. KUCHING (May 29): Chief Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman is the right person to lead the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS), said State Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu. He expressed his hope that the Kuching City Football Club chairman will secure the presidency at the upcoming FAS Annual General Meeting scheduled for June 14. 'I hope Fazzrudin will be able to lead FAS because we can see that football is a sport that can really lift our spirits wherever we are, be it in the villages or towns and anywhere else. 'I think he is the right choice to be the next FAS president. He had served as assistant chef de mission for football in Sukma just like what I did in Sukma Terengganu. 'Furthermore, he has the experience as Kuching City Football Club chairman and is familiar with FAS key strengths for the role,' Rentap told reporters after the press conference on the ASF Asian Individual Championships and ASF Asian Doubles Championships at a hotel here today. He added that Fazzrudin, who is also the Tupong assemblyman, is actively involved with youth development and athletics, serving as patron of the Axis Club. Rentap, who is Layar assemblyman, further emphasised the importance of nurturing football talent at the grassroots level. 'The Petronas Youth Football Closed Tournament is a collaborative programme that has helped develop young talents in the Under-10, Under-12 and Under-16 age categories and is a step in the right direction. 'We are hoping that it can develop into a football league for Sarawak but we are focusing on developing the young players. 'If we don't have young players how are we going to find senior players later?' he said. FAS fazzrudin abdul rahman Gerald Rentap Jabu presidency
