Sunday, 7 December 2025

Author: Rasheeqa Bahida

SIFMA 2025 returns with new artistic elements

KUCHING: The Sarawak International Festival of Music and Arts (SIFMA) 2025 returns this December with an expanded line-up, broader regional participation and new artistic elements as Sarawak strengthens its creative and performing arts scene. Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the sixth

An impactful speech by Abang Jo motivates him

HIS earliest foray into leadership came from his roots in Kampung Surabaya Hilir, Kuching, where friends and neighbours encouraged him to take on responsibilities that eventually led him into politics. Though he initially wants to pursue a career as a specialist doctor, Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi

Limbang records highest number of land and crop compensation cases

LIMBANG records the highest number of land and crop compensation cases in Sarawak, with 80 cases involving RM9.3 million in payouts. Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Law and Customs), Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat, said that the Sarawak Native Court has registered 303 cases statewide, totalling RM19.2 million. “According

Rural people given training to manage carbon projects: Len Talif

THE carbon credit initiative through the Forest Carbon Activity gives Sarawak an opportunity to diversify the state’s revenue through the international carbon market. Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Saleh said a range of training and capacity-building programmes for rural communities are provided by

Move to preserve the old Siniawan police station

THE Sarawak government is exploring plans to preserve the old Siniawan police station as a heritage site and potential tourist attraction, while promoting Siniawan town as a tourism destination. Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said his ministry, through the Sarawak Museums Department, is

2,500 indigenous tree saplings planted at Sabal Forest

SIMUNJAN: The Forest Department Sarawak (FDS), in partnership with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), concluded their 2025 collaboration by planting 2,500 indigenous tree saplings at Sabal Forest Reserve yesterday (Nov 27). The tree-planting activity marks the final project under this year’s FDS-SEB partnership and forms part of SEB’s 10-Year Integrated Planting,

Bukit Semuja rep John Ilus reflects on DUN experiences

FOR Bukit Semuja assemblyman, John Ilus, the DUN sitting is filled with moments that range from amusing to deeply reflective. His earliest memory, a bewildering first day in the chamber back in 2015 still makes him smile, while his time outside politics is spent grounding himself in simple routines. If

Government push sought to elevate Tellian cultural tourism

TELLIAN has the potential to become major cultural tourism destinations in Sarawak, and this opportunity must be maximised with strategic investment and strong government support. Its assemblyman Royston Valentine highlighted the significance of the RM129 million allocation for tourism infrastructure and RM194 million for promotion in the Sarawak 2026 budget,

Several schemes to support Sarawak’s ageing population: Rosey

SARAWAK continues to strengthen support for its ageing population through various assistance schemes and programmes implemented via the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) and the Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB) initiative. Deputy Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Rosey Yunus said RM39.7 million has been channelled

Youth development vital for continuous progress

ASAJAYA: Grooming young leaders is critical to Sarawak’s continued social harmony and development, said Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. Highlighting the importance of early exposure to leadership, Abdul Karim said the Sarawak National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS) provides a platform where youth