KUCHING: The Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) is strengthening its sustainability initiatives by virtue of moving towards a cashless festival environment in its efforts to enhance the overall festival experience.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the festival is gradually transitioning towards a cashless system in line with Sarawak’s broader vision of becoming a digitally empowered economy.
“Sustainability continues to be a key pillar of the RWMF. Festivalgoers will be able to make purchases across the festival grounds using e-wallets, debit cards and credit cards, whether for food, beverages, cultural crafts or festival merchandise,” he said this when officiating at the RMWF launch event today.
Abdul Karim said the move aligns with the state’s wider commitment to digitalisation while improving convenience and efficiency for visitors attending the festival.
“As global travellers become increasingly conscious of environmental responsibility, it is important that major events continue to evolve in ways that respect both nature and community,” he said.
In this regard, the Sarawak Tourism Board is actively progressing towards implementing the ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System, an internationally recognised framework that promotes responsible and sustainable event management.
Abdul Karim said the framework will guide the festival towards stronger environmental, social and economic practices while ensuring that the benefits of the event extend beyond the festival itself.
“These efforts are further supported by sustainability initiatives introduced under the festival, including Green Ruai, Green Warriors and the EcoGreen Planet tree-planting programme.
“Since its introduction in 2023, more than 6,000 trees have been planted through the EcoGreen Planet initiative in conservation areas such as the Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, Bukit Lima Nature Reserve and Piasau Nature Reserve.
“This year, the initiative aims to reach a milestone of 10,000 trees planted ahead of its original 2027 target,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the festival’s sustainability efforts also reflect Sarawak’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship.
“As of October 31, 2025, Sarawak recorded the highest achievement in the national tree-planting campaign, having planted more than 55 million trees, surpassing the state’s original target of 35 million trees,” he said.
Beyond sustainability and culture, Abdul Karim noted that RWMF also serves as a platform for regional engagement.
“Sarawak continues to explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, particularly through gastronomy exchanges that bring international flavours alongside our local culinary traditions to enrich the festival experience,” he said.
At the same time, Abdul Karim also affirmed that the festival continues to play an important role in supporting Sarawak’s tourism sector and creative economy while strengthening the state’s reputation as a destination for international festivals and cultural tourism.
“As the saying goes, music is the universal language of mankind. Here in Sarawak, when that music echoes through the rainforest, it does more than entertain – it brings cultures together and connects people across borders,” he added.
“Sarawak looks forward to welcoming musicians, cultural communities and festivalgoers from across the region and beyond for the 29th edition of the festival.”
