KUCHING: Sarawak hopes the haze drifting from Kalimantan will clear before major tourism and cultural events take place, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Minister of Creative Industry, Tourism and Performing Arts said the recurring haze problem could affect Sarawak as winds carried smoke from neighbouring Indonesia into the State.
“Whether it is affecting tourism or not, I hope not. Because, like I mentioned just now, this problem is only temporary,” he told reporters after the launching of WAK Festival 2026 Calendar Reveal at The Spring Shopping Mall today.
Abdul Karim said the haze typically occurred during the dry period, when land clearing and slash-and-burn activities were more likely to take place.
He hoped the issue could be addressed through discussions between the two neighbouring countries.
He also expressed hope that the haze would clear by the end of this month or next month, noting that a change in wind direction could quickly disperse it from Sarawak.
Looking ahead, Abdul Karim said the State hoped conditions would improve before upcoming events including Borneo Jazz, Borderland Music Festival, Sarawak Regatta, International Dragon Boat events and WAK Festival.
“I can only hope, just like anybody else, together with the organisers as well, that all the events we are organising from now until the end of the year will be able to proceed,” he said.
He said the Government was prepared to cancel programmes if the haze situation worsened, although he hoped this would not be necessary.
“If we have to cancel those programmes, we will cancel them. But I do hope that we do not have to reach that kind of situation,” he said.
On whether events could be moved indoors, Abdul Karim said many programmes supported by the Ministry were already held indoors.
However, he said major outdoor events such as the Regatta and International Dragon Boat event would have to be monitored according to prevailing conditions.
He added that Sarawak should remain vigilant over changing weather conditions and other natural phenomena in the region.
