Sarawak records over RM1bil per month in tourism receipts from January to June this year
KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded tourism receipts exceeding RM1bil every month from January to June this year, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said this was the best performance achieved by the tourism industry so far.
"Tourism receipts include spending on hotels, restaurants, transport, crafts and related expenditure.
"In other words, it's the money going into the industry, not just in Kuching but other parts of Sarawak," he said at the calendar reveal of the WAK Festival here on Wednesday (Aug 13).
Abdul Karim said the tourism receipts reflected the high numbers of visitors coming to Sarawak in the first half of the year.
He said Sarawak was well on track to hit its target of five million visitors this year, having received 2.4mil up to June.
"We are looking at 500,000 visitors a month from July onwards, so I'm confident we can reach our target," he said.
Abdul Karim said events like the WAK Festival were among the contributing factors attracting tourists to Sarawak.
He said the festival, which runs throughout October, had grown from its humble beginnings in 2017, expanding from Kuching to Sibu and Miri last year.
"What I love about WAK is that it comes from the community, for the community.
"October, which used to be a quiet time, has now turned into an interesting month with a lot of events," he said.
Festival director Donald Tan said the WAK acronym was evolving into a new identity this year following the festival's expansion to Sibu and Miri.
"WAK used to stand for What About Kuching. We've decided to position ourselves as the WAK Festival which now stands for We Are Kindred," he said.
Tan said this year's festival was themed "Roots" to celebrate Sarawak's cultural and historical roots.
"It reminds us to honour our shared past even as we grow new connections that branch outward, nurturing fresh collaborations that breathe life into our city's creative landscape," he said.
The festival will feature 49 collaborators, 67 unique events and 369 daily activities spread across 44 venues in and around Kuching.
Crafts, food and music events are among the highlights.
"We want to take creative and artistic activities to street level to engage with the community," Tan said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
A heartfelt tribute to the German artist who called Malaysia home
Many artists from abroad have found a home in Malaysia, but the late Askandar Unglehrt (1943–2022) made it his own by embracing its culture with heart and curiosity. He once summed up his creative vision with disarming clarity: 'I observe the East with one eye and the West with the other. A 'Third Eye', which is my creative eye, combines the fragments of my observations into experiences of their own.' His philosophy shaped his art – bridging cultures, reframing traditions and weaving them into something entirely his own, laced with mischievous wit. The late Unglehrt's tribute show at Harta Space offers a survey of his collage works and archival material. Photo: The Star/Filepic The German-born artist and academic, who made Penang his home for more than 50 years, brought a distinctive voice to Malaysia's art scene. Before arriving on these shores, he studied at the Sorbonne in Paris in the late 1960s, majoring in French and German, and wrote his PhD dissertation on the poetry of Jean Arp, the German-French sculptor, painter and poet. Unglehrt began teaching both French and German at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang in 1972. Adela, co-curator of the exhibition, shares insights into her father's art practice and his unique East-West perspective. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad Alongside his academic work, he developed a highly recognisable collage practice, fusing Western art styles with locally sourced materials such as magazines, newspaper clippings and advertisements. In the spirit of Merdeka month, the public can now revisit his legacy through A Third Eye: A Tribute To Askandar Unglehrt, on view at Harta Space in Ampang, Selangor, until Aug 31. His work was last officially showcased in the Klang Valley in 2017, in the solo exhibition Walau Bagaimanapun at Suma Orientalist. Lovingly assembled This tribute at Harta Space – featuring works Unglehrt created between 1973 and 2003 – is co-curated by his daughter Adela, who has overseen the care and preservation of his artworks. The show's other curator is Ricardo Chavez Tovar, a Penang-based artist and academic from Mexico. Unglehrt's 'Malaysia / World The Great Rehearsal' (1990) captures the artist's local culture fascination in a collage work. Photo: Harta Space Unglehrt's works have been showcased at the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur and are held in the collections of the Penang State Art Gallery, Singapore Art Museum, Galeri Petronas and other notable institutions. A Third Eye features 62 works, ranging from acrylic on canvas and prints to magazine pieces and collages on anonymous paintings. 'While many would know him as an artist in Penang, he was more known as an art collector in the Klang Valley. The exhibition will take visitors through a timeline of his artistic journey and what influences he had over the years. Some were taken from private collections, and some of them, I've rediscovered this year, buried in storage,' says Adela in a recent interview. She recalls unearthing unexpected treasures while preparing the show. Tovar (right) and curator Unglehrt examine one of Tovar's works in Penang, 2006. At Harta Space, Tovar co-curated the German-born artist's tribute show. Photo: The Star/Filepic 'I knew they existed, as his main technique was manual collage, and he would re- photograph the finished pieces. We found film strips and other records that give an insight into his process, showing what he was referencing at the time,' she explains. Over the years, Malaysian influences and pop culture references began to weave into his compositions in the 1980s. 'This was in an era where Star Wars was a craze, and he used popular symbols like Superman, Charlie Chaplin, Yoda and others. He would also buy old windows from flea markets, using them as a canvas. 'Sometimes he painted over anonymous works he found there, giving them a completely new context,' she says. Sambal on the side Visitors will see these ideas most clearly in his 'Malaysiana' series. One standout, Mona Malaysia (1989), reimagines the iconic Mona Lisa with a distinctly Malaysian twist – her serene face framed by a Muslim headdress. Unglehrt's work titled 'Consulting Yoda' (1983-1984). Photo: Harta Space 'This also reflects the rise of Muslim women in (local) universities at the time. He often responded to social shifts he observed around him. Nowadays there are digital methods of collaging, but his work was painstakingly done by hand,' says Adela. Unglehrt's personal life also shaped his art. Starting a family in the early 1970s in Penang with his wife, Tengku Idaura Tengku Ibrahim, who has Kelantanese roots, meant Unglehrt spent extended periods on the East Coast, immersing himself in its landscapes and traditions. 'He explored the scenery, the everyday commentaries on Malaysian life, and even popular TV shows that began to run at the time,' says Adela. Unglehrt's 'The Short Cut' (1995) is a collage on a painting featuring Fantastic Four's The Thing riding a motorcycle through a kampung. Photo: Harta Space Works such as The Great Malaysian Sunset (1989) playfully place Darth Vader in a film strip sequence of a tranquil beach in Bachok, Kelantan, while The Short Cut (1995) sends the Fantastic Four's The Thing roaring down a kampung road on a motorcycle. Together, these pieces capture Unglehrt's knack for blending pop culture with the Malaysian landscape, creating images that are at once humorous and thought-provoking. 'This exhibition serves as a precursor to a more comprehensive retrospective planned for 2026–2027, which will examine his legacy and continued relevance in Malaysian contemporary art. "We also wish to bring a larger collection to Penang where he spent most of his time in Malaysia,' concludes Adela. A Third Eye: A Tribute To Askandar Unglehrt is showing at Harta Space in Ampang, Selangor until Aug 31. Free admission. Closed on Mondays.
The Star
17 hours ago
- The Star
Stay true to yourself, says former beauty queen turned wellness advocate
She once stood beneath the bright lights of beauty pageants, smiling for the cameras. Crowned Miss Malaysia Earth Eco Tourism 2014, Miss Malaysia World Photogenic 2016 and Miss Chinese World Malaysia 2017, Adelina Chan also took part in Miss Universe Malaysia 2020. But beneath all the glamour, Chan, 32, reveals that she was quietly breaking. After going through a period of soul searching, she emerged a better version of herself. Today, her world looks very different – softened by stillness, grounded in nature and rooted in emotional truth. On July 4, she launched her debut book, Whispers Of Self, a story not about reinvention, but of return. Chan's message to other women is simple but powerful: 'Follow your heart. Not blindly, but bravely. You already have the answers within you.' 'I didn't write it as a guide or even a memoir,' she says. 'It's a companion – for women like me, who were quietly collapsing, and just wanted to feel joy again.' The shift from public figure to inner work practitioner wasn't sudden – it was a matter of survival. 'I came from a place of emotional suppression,' she shares. 'In my family, we were expected to be good, to succeed, to never make mistakes. 'But that meant I was always giving – and never receiving. I didn't even know what I liked.' Chan's journey toward self-awareness was sparked not by ambition, but by heartbreak. 'I went through two abusive relationships – one physical, one emotional. And that totally broke me,' she says. 'I realised the only person who could save me ... was me. 'We may not be able to control what happens and what people do, but we can control our response and what we do,' she emphasises. It was during this period of hardship and introspection that she began writing, almost by accident. 'I didn't like reading growing up,' she says. 'But a friend gave me a Yung Pueblo book called Lighter and there was a line in it which said: 'You don't have to be good all the time.' 'That line stayed with me. I realised it's OK to not be OK sometimes. You don't have to hide or suppress it.' That book, which is about personal growth and self-compassion, really spoke to Chan. 'It helped me explore personal transformation, healing and embrace evolution. I began to realise that healing involves shedding past conditioning and learning to accept oneself unconditionally.' That was the turning point. Chan's book 'Whispers Of Self' is a slim but soulful collection of reflections and poems that reads less like advice, and more like words from a friend. Photo: The Star/Ming Teoh Chan started journalling – scraps of thoughts, emotions, memories. But she wasn't trying to write a book. She was trying to find her voice. 'Some days, I'd write four or five different emotions in one entry – angry, grateful, shattered, hopeful – I'd let it all exist.' The result was Whispers Of Self , a slim but soulful collection of reflections and poems that read less like advice, and more like words from a friend. It's an extension of her deeper values: softness, authenticity and honouring discomfort as a portal to growth. But who is Chan beyond the pages? She has led a varied life – former radio host, SSI mermaid instructor, underwater modelling instructor and now, environmental steward with Women's Circle of Malaysia, a women-led wellness and education set-up. Each role, she says, comes from love. 'I've always loved animals, the sea and plants. Even as a child, I'd talk to birds at my nanny's house,' she says. 'Becoming a mermaid was a childhood dream – I wanted to be Ariel!' Besides mermaiding and training other mermaids, Chan also has an advanced scuba diver's licence and plans to become a rescue diver. But her environmentalism isn't rooted in activism alone – it's tied to her healing. 'I believe emotional and ecological well-being are connected,' she says. 'When I'm in nature – underwater or hiking – I feel at home. I see how everything is part of a cycle, how nothing rushes. That taught me how to slow down, to stop and smell the roses.' This reverence for stillness is what led her to launch Whispers Of Self not with a grand party, but with a meditation and reflection session. 'It just didn't seem right to have a flashy event,' she says. 'I wanted something honest and authentic, a space where people could just breathe and be.' Chan's (pictured at her book launch) reverence for stillness is what led her to launch Whispers of Self not with a grand party, but with a meditation and reflection circle. Photo: Women's Circle of Malaysia That's why she also offered a free one-day retreat for early readers at a quiet eco-sanctuary outside Kuala Lumpur. It's her way of giving back, she says. 'The world is so fast, so loud. But healing? Healing can be quiet. It can look like making tea, taking a nap, or writing how angry you feel – without judgment.' Today, Chan is most at home in her own rhythm. She no longer dresses or speaks to please. 'When I was younger, I'd change outfits before I went home to avoid criticism,' she recalls. 'Now, I wear what I want. I don't seek approval. If I feel beautiful, that's enough.' Her message to other women is simple but powerful: 'Follow your heart. Not blindly, but bravely. You already have the answers within you.' And if she could go back and speak to her pre-pageant self? 'I'd say: Thank you for surviving. And I'm sorry, for all the times I ignored how you felt. But look where we are now.' As for what's next, she's not rushing. 'I don't know,' she smiles. 'But Whispers Of Self is just the beginning. I trust the next step will reveal itself. As long as I stay true to me.'
The Star
19 hours ago
- The Star
72YO retired Malaysian engineer repairs toys and gives them back to charity
Tan Guan Poh, 75, hung up his tools as an electrical and electronics engineer over 25 years ago – but he never stopped tinkering. His favourite project these days? Faulty toys. 'I worked as an engineer for decades, so I am familiar with electronics. 'When I open up a faulty toy, I can see the wires – I know how the circuit works and where the power flows,' he says during a chat in Subang Jaya, Selangor. When I open up a toy, I can see the wires – I know how the circuit works and and where the power flows,' says Tan. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran In the 1980s, Tan was inspired by the popular TV series MacGyver , which featured secret agent Angus MacGyver who could fix or find solutions to almost anything with everyday objects. 'In my eyes, MacGyver was so cool. And I wanted to be like him. 'I liked how MacGyver used his intelligence to solve things,' he says with a smile. 'Now I repair toys. It keeps my mind active, and I enjoy breathing new life into old toys.' At his home in Subang Perdana Goodyear Court, stacks of old toys fill plastic boxes belonging to his grandchildren, who usually visit him on weekends. In a few cardboard boxes are toy cars and robots, some broken, brought in by his church for Tan to fix and donate to underprivileged and Orang Asli children in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang. Angus MacGyver (played by Richard Dean Anderson) was the coolest fix-it guy on the telly in the 1980s. Screengrab: Culturapoparigor/Instagram 'Most of these battery-operated toys stop working because of simple issues – faulty circuits or missing parts. 'It is easy to throw broken things away, but if they can be fixed, why not (salvage them)?' Fondly known as Uncle GP, Tan is one of many senior citizens who believe in staying active. While some opt to pursue their hobbies or take on part-time jobs, he uses his expertise to help others. The Kedahan believes active ageing helps seniors remain mentally sharp and socially connected. Tan (right) with his church members and the Orang Asli community from Kampung Chemperoh, Bentong, Pahang. Photo: Tan Guan Poh 'Retirement doesn't mean you stop living. 'Look at me – I feel younger doing this. And the best part is, I get to play with toys,' says the grandfather of nine, who once worked as a process engineer in Kulim, Kedah. A 2020 research titled Health Promotion and Active Ageing Among Seniors in Malaysia finds that seniors who were mentally and physically active tended to have an overall positive assessment of their well- being. The study, published in the Journal Of Health Research, also states that health promotion and active ageing are two central components in enhancing quality of life and allowing seniors to retain a sense of control in their life. Reuse, reduce and recycle Tan's community work began during the pandemic, when he offered toy repair services at the now-defunct Re:Play Toy Hub and Toy Library, a free play space run by social enterprise Play Unlimited at a mall in USJ. 'One day, I walked past and saw toys inside the store. 'Curious, I stepped in and found out some of the preloved toys were faulty. 'I offered to help – it was my way of giving back,' says Tan, who was born and raised in Kuala Muda, Kedah. He was with Re:Play for almost two years and repaired hundreds of battery-operated toys – from remote-controlled cars and light-up educational toys to interactive plushies. While at Re:Play, he even trained a few volunteers to repair toys. Tan is a firm believer in the 3Rs – reuse, reduce and recycle – and wants to help build a more sustainable Malaysia with less trash and plastic waste. Through toy repair, he extends the life of items that would otherwise end up in landfills, and also teaches children to value their belongings. 'Kids these days have everything. 'Sometimes they lack the passion and motivation to learn because they are given too much. 'Parents should not pamper their kids too much,' says the father of three. An active lifestyle helps seniors maintain purpose, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran He recalls his own childhood, where toys were a rare luxury. 'My father worked at Sungkap Para Estate in Sungai Petani. 'We couldn't afford toys, so I made my own. 'I used matchboxes to build toy cars and Coca-Cola bottle caps as wheels. 'I was about eight then,' he recalls. That early resourcefulness never left him. As a boy, he learned to sew from his mother, who used a Singer sewing machine. Tan uses his trusted sewing machine to mend torn toys, giving them a second life before donating them to charity. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran Today, he still uses an old sewing machine he bought for RM200. 'I sew pillowcases and repair teddy bears by hand before donating them to charity,' he says proudly. He adds that while kids today are lucky to have access to phones and technology, he believes they must also be guided on how to use them creatively. 'They can play games, but also use the phone to learn and discover new things. That is important.' A bigger mission Tan's passion for helping others extends beyond toy repair. Tan is passionate about giving back to the community and caring for toys. He also serves as a chaplain (a person who provides spiritual and emotional care in communities) at a church in USJ 1, Subang Jaya. Part of his duties include visiting nursing homes and being a standby pastor for a funeral company in Kuala Lumpur. 'In life, we must do what we can to help others. 'Even small deeds can make a big difference,' he says. After retiring in 2000, Tan served as a pastor at several Methodist churches across the country. In 2008, he pursued his studies in Clinical Pastoral Education at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Bedford, Texas. He later worked for five years as a hospital chaplain in Singapore. 'My job was to support patients emotionally and spiritually. When they feel more positive, they're more likely to take their medication and, over time, respond better to treatment.' He returned to Malaysia just before the pandemic – and quickly found new ways to contribute. 'When I came back, I felt the need to serve the community. 'So I used my skills to repair toys at Re:Play,' he says. These days, he continues to offer his services at PARC, a community hub in Subang Jaya, where he fixes broken items on Wednesdays and Fridays for a small fee. Tan is a firm believer in the 3Rs and wants to help build a more sustainable Malaysia with less trash and plastic waste. His technical know-how has led him to invent simple solutions. For example, he now converts battery-powered toys to USB-powered ones. 'Most toys run on five volts, just like on a USB. 'So I open the toy, find the terminals, and connect a USB cable. 'That way, there isn't a need to keep replacing batteries.' At home, he is always learning, especially when something new challenges him. 'I go to the Internet to learn. I didn't know how to match a transmitter and receiver for a remote-control toy, but now I'm learning it bit by bit.' Passing it on Looking ahead, Tan hopes to run repair workshops for senior citizens, teaching them basic electronic and toy repair skills. 'Many seniors feel bored. I believe in sharing my knowledge. So far, I have trained a few women when I was volunteering at Re:Play. I know I can train more.' He believes that with some guidance, anyone can learn the basics. 'As long as you know how to open up a toy, identify positive and negative terminals, and not mix them up, you are halfway there. 'The mechanical parts are easy. Electronics just need a bit of practice – changing parts, understanding wires and soldering.' A few basic tools are all you need to carry out simple toy repairs. Some USB cables (the kind used for toys), he notes, only have two wires. 'Once you get that, and know how to use a screwdriver, you can start fixing things. 'You don't need an engineering degree.' Tan also highlights the emotional value of toys, especially for the elderly. 'Toys aren't just for kids. They can bring back memories. 'For dementia patients, old toys can serve as powerful reminders of their past,' he concludes.
