KUCHING: Karnival Jom Heboh (KJH) Sarawak Segulai Sejalai 2026 is set to take place at Kota Samarahan, serving as a national platform showcasing tourism, culture and entrepreneurship.
Organised through a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) and Media Prima, the carnival enters its 23rd year and has been recognised by The Malaysia Book of Records as the ‘Longest Running Outdoor Carnival’.
Taking place at the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council grounds from July 31 to August 2, the three-day event embraces a family and community-oriented concept, featuring a wide range of interactive activities, entertainment, exhibitions and performances that celebrate the spirit of togetherness among Sarawakians.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the carnival serves as a platform to promote Kota Samarahan as a large-scale tourism destination while showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant entrepreneurial landscape.
“The carnival opens doors for local entrepreneurs, creative industry enthusiasts, and small and medium enterprises to introduce their products and services to the visitors.
“With various initiatives by the ministry and its agencies to be showcased throughout the carnival, the event aligns with the state government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Sarawak’s position as a preferred tourism destination renowned for its rich cultural heritage, ethnic diversity and vibrant performing arts,” he said during the press conference on ‘Karnival Jom Heboh Samarahan 2026’ at Baitulmakmur Building II today.
“We want to ensure that the development brought is not only concentrated in the cities but is also felt and benefited by all levels of society including rural areas.
“The state government will continue to strive to provide more opportunities, expand more access to development programmes, and ensure that the people of Sarawak continue to enjoy progress to a more balanced and also inclusive and sustainable society,” he said.
The carnival will feature 5-kilometre (km) and 8 km fun runs, performances by local artistes, and complimentary health and dental screenings, with participants also able to enjoy greater convenience through promotional discount codes offered by e-hailing service providers.
Abdul Karim further added that the carnival being held at Samarahan further expands Sarawak tourism landscape rather than being limited to Kuching.
“Especially with the recently opened Batang Lupar 1, it has gained traction during the soft opening, attracting visitors from nearby towns.
“We hope the strategic collaboration between the state government and Media Prima will continue to grow stronger for the benefit of the people, the creative industry, the tourism sector and the state’s economy, as we remain committed to creating more opportunities and building a more prosperous, progressive and inclusive future for Sarawak,” he said.
