THE Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts has so far disbursed RM19.96 million in tourism event grants this year to support 88 festivals and events across Sarawak.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the Sarawak Government has committed RM45 million annually to bolster the state’s tourism ecosystem through vibrant and diverse events.
“Events and festivals are not just celebrations; they are strategic tools for economic stimulation, cultural promotion, and positioning Sarawak as a premier tourism destination,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Abdul Karim said his ministry serves as the custodian of several financial assistance initiatives, including the Tourism Event Grant, Research Grant, and the Facilitation Fund for heritage and arts programmes.
He said the Sarawak Government has also allocated RM5 million annually for a research grant designed to encourage collaboration between researchers, NGOs, and institutions of higher learning in producing innovative tourism tools and promotional materials.
“Since 2021, a total of 24 research projects worth RM6.1 million have been approved and funded through this grant,” he said.
Abdul Karim noted that RM10 million is set aside each year under the Facilitation Fund to support stakeholders in the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
“This fund aims to strengthen capacity-building initiatives that ensure the growth, continuity and sustainability of Sarawak’s creative industry,” he said.
He also reported that the ministry had supported 45 additional activities this year organised by individuals, schools, tertiary institutions, associations and NGOs amounting to RM2.32 million in funding.
