KUCHING: Sarawak’s disaster response units are fully prepared for the prevailing rainy season, thus major events such as the upcoming Sarawak International Festival of Music and Arts (SIFMA) 2025 can proceed as planned.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state is equipped to respond swiftly to floods, landslides and major fire incidents should adverse conditions arise.
“In the event the weather gets bad, we are always very prepared.
“Our disaster team will provide immediate assistance to anyone affected,” he said during a press conference at the Media Room of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Friday (Nov 28).
Abdul Karim said while outdoor events may face disruptions, many of the concerts and festivals scheduled for this month and December are being held in enclosed venues, ensuring programmes proceed as planned.
Also, he added that rain generally has minimal impact on tourist arrivals and is sometimes even viewed positively by visitors.
“Having rain is part of the attraction. Some countries even love it,” he said.
Citing that Sarawak recorded 4.01 million visitor arrivals as of October, Abdul Karim said although the state may fall just short of its 5 million target, tourism receipts remain at an all-time high, exceeding RM10.2 billion from January to October.
“These are high-quality tourists, and the industry is happy. Even if we don’t reach 5 million, the results are very encouraging,” he said.
He added that upcoming musical events, along with regional visitors from Brunei and Indonesia, are expected to further boost numbers in the remaining months of the year.
