KUCHING: As the Borneo Games 2025 kicked off in Kuching today, Sarawak extended its hospitality not only through sport but also through food.
During the launch of the Games at Stadium Perpaduan today, Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, waxed lyrical about the state’s local delicacies, noting that laksa Sarawak, kolok mee and the uniquely localised mee Jawa are must-try dishes.
“Coming to Sarawak is never complete without tasting our signature dishes.
“Laksa Sarawak and Mee kolok are a must, while mee Jawa is a niche breakfast food here, popularised over generations and unlike anything found in Java itself,” Abdul Karim said in his welcoming speech.
Abdul Karim, who is also Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, added that Sarawak’s culinary heritage is part of what makes the state’s hospitality distinctive, complementing the warmth of its people and the unity of sports.
On the sporting front, Abdul Karim hailed the return of the Borneo Games after a 12-year hiatus as a celebration of regional friendship and camaraderie, bringing together athletes from Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, Brunei and East Kalimantan.
“Insya-Allah, with this gathering, we will continue to build closer ties – whether we come from Brunei Darussalam, Kalimantan, Sabah, Labuan or Sarawak. This is more than competition; it is about strengthening bonds across Borneo,” he said.
The Borneo Games 2025 will feature over 1,000 athletes competing from September 24 to 28, with Sarawak as host aiming to deliver both a strong medal tally and a memorable cultural experience for visiting contingents.
