KUCHING: The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has been proposed to be placed under the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts to further strengthen the state’s tourism development.
Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this move aims to improve the quality of facilities in national parks in the state, given SFC’s responsibility in managing these areas.
“Sarawak continues to be a top destination for tourists drawn to its natural beauty and ecotourism.
“However, one of the main challenges faced is the provision of adequate facilities in national parks, which are key attractions for visitors to the state,” he said.
He said this at a press conference after the launch of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025 here today (Feb 28).
On another note, Abdul Karim said that Sarawak, with over 60 national parks and nature reserves, is a unique location rich in biodiversity.
However, he stressed that facilities such as chalets and homestays in these areas must be well-maintained and kept clean.
“The cleanliness of accommodations and basic facilities like clean restrooms and sufficient food supply must be given serious attention.
“The worst experience for any tourist is getting injured. Just like us, when we travel, we definitely want to avoid any unfortunate incidents.
“Therefore, issues such as damaged jetties and water supply problems must be addressed promptly to prevent disappointment among tourists,” he said.
Abdul Karim highlighted that these issues are particularly evident in national parks like Kubah and Bako, where severe infrastructure problems affect tourists’ experiences.
This situation could negatively impact Sarawak’s reputation as a tourist destination, especially when visitors share complaints on social media, which can spread globally, he added.
“These tourists don’t have time to file complaints. They will upload their experiences on social media.
“When it goes viral, people worldwide will read about it and assume that Sarawak is not a good place to visit.
“That is why the management of national parks in Sarawak must be forward-thinking to overcome these problems,” he said.
