Abd Karim: Sarawak rolls out major tourism projects, including craft centre
KUCHING (May 27): The Sarawak Craft Centre is scheduled for implementation in 2026 as part of the state's ongoing efforts to enhance its tourism infrastructure, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister stated that the centre will serve as a platform to preserve and promote the state's unique craft heritage.
'The centre will become a dedicated space for local artisans to sell crafts, preserve artistic traditions and promote Sarawak's craft heritage,' he said when delivering his ministerial winding up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Abdul Karim pointed out that the project is one of several major infrastructure developments being rolled out by the Sarawak government to boost tourism and improve accessibility across the state.
Among them is the transformation of the historic Old DUN Building into a world-class performing arts centre, which is set for completion by the end of 2027.
He said the venue, inspired by London's Royal Albert Hall, aims to attract international-standard performances.
Abdul Karim said the MBKS Swimming Pool will also be redeveloped into a Water Fun Park and the Centre of Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy, scheduled for completion in early 2026.
'This centre aims to highlight Kuching's food heritage and support local creative industries,' he added.
In Lundu and Sematan, Abdul Karim said a Tourists Support Centre is slated for completion by the end of this year.
'The project is part of a broader effort to develop tourism in Lundu and Sematan,' he added.
Abdul Karim said through collaboration with the federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), his ministry has secured an additional RM3.37 million to fund 15 projects focused on upgrading and repairing tourism facilities and homestays across Sarawak.
These include upgrading of tourism facilities will be carried out at Telaga Air Waterfront, Bako National Park, Bukit Lambir National Park, and the jungle trekking trail at Taman Tumbina.
'Visitor facilities at the Tun Ahmad Zaidi Nature Reserve in Sibu will also be upgraded and repaired.
'Additionally, tourism facilities will be upgraded at Homestay Santubong, Homestay Lobang Batu, and Homestay Rumah Margretta Kerangan Buloh in Julau,' said Abdul Karim.
Abdul Karim also noted that this year marks the end of the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021–2025), with preparations underway for the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030).
'I hope the 13th Malaysia Plan will greatly elevate the tourism sector and ensure its contribution to Sarawak's development and prosperity by 2030,' he said. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah lead project tourism infrastructure
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
Sabah and Sarawak development focus in 13MP parliamentary debate
KUALA LUMPUR: A proposal for federal and Sabah collaboration in developing the blue economy sector was raised in Parliament today. Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan (GRS-Keningau) emphasised Sabah's potential in fisheries, agriculture, and livestock during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) debate. 'It needs to be implemented using a new approach that covers the entire industrial chain, rather than through standalone projects,' he said. Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) urged the government to prioritise Sabah's development projects for tangible public benefits. He stressed the need to address water supply and school infrastructure to ensure balanced progress across states. Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar) called for urgent upgrades to rural schools facing classroom shortages. 'Rural education needs to be strengthened through preschool facilities, early exposure to artificial intelligence technology, and interactive digital equipment to ensure children have equal learning opportunities,' he said. He also proposed a dedicated sports school in Sarawak to nurture young athletes like divers Datuk Pandelela Rinong and Bryan Nickson Lomas. Roy Angau Ginkoi (GPS-Lubuk Antu) suggested developing Lubuk Antu as an inland port due to its strategic location near Kalimantan. The parliamentary session will resume tomorrow. - Bernama
Barnama
28 minutes ago
- Barnama
HSBC Malaysia Unveils Enhanced Premier Service For Affluent Market
'This is taking the premium experience to the next level for Malaysia. Our ambition is to become the leading wealth manager in Asia and the Middle East, with Malaysia playing a crucial role in that vision. HSBC head of international wealth and premier banking Asia, Kai Zhang, said Malaysia is the fifth market globally to introduce the upgraded proposition. KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- HSBC Malaysia has launched its all-new HSBC Premier service, designed for affluent and high-net-worth customers with an expanded suite of wealth, health, travel and international banking solutions. HSBC first introduced its Premier banking services in Malaysia 25 years ago and has progressively expanded offerings for the growing affluent market. Recent developments include the launch of HSBC Premier Elite in 2024, the opening of its flagship Wealth Centre at Tun Razak Exchange earlier this year and the establishment of the HSBC Wealth Academy. 'Malaysia is one of the region's most dynamic and promising wealth markets, with a young, internationally minded population. As the Malaysian economy grows, so does the opportunity to build and grow wealth,' she said in her keynote speech at the launch today. 'We are seeing customers manage their wealth with more intent and seeking diversification across geographies and asset classes. They're investing for the long term, using a broader range of investment instruments and integrating wealth decisions into broader life goals, from education and health, to lifestyle and legacy. Zhang said HSBC projects the proportion of Malaysian adults with at least US$250,000 (US$1=RM4.20) in financial wealth will double over the current decade. 'They're looking for more than just returns. They want holistic planning, relevant wealth and banking solutions, as well partnership through life. This is precisely what our brand-new HSBC Premier proposition is designed to deliver,' she said. HSBC Malaysia's country head of international wealth and premier banking Linda Yip said that according to GlobalData estimates, Malaysia's affluent market, including high-net-worth individuals bracket, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.4 per cent from 2025 to 2029, with liquid assets reaching nearly US$350 billion in four years' time. 'Affluent customers now seek holistic solutions that help them accelerate their wealth and at the same time place their health and wellbeing at the forefront. Balancing these needs allow them to grow, protect, enjoy and preserve their wealth for generations. 'At HSBC, our aspiration is to be the international bank of choice for affluent customers, supporting their holistic wealth management needs,' she said. Four Pillars of the All-New HSBC Premier The enhanced HSBC Premier is built on four pillars, namely wealth, health, travel and International. Citing HSBC's Quality of Life research, Yip said the affluent deploy cash to grow their investments, with other assets such as fixed income bonds and equities making up a majority (78 per cent) of their portfolio with only 22 per cent held in cash. Lifestyle remains a key priority. A total of 52 per cent of affluent Malaysians say that savings for vacation or leisure is a top financial goal that they have, while 48 per cent prioritise health and wellbeing. For wealth, Premier customers have access to over 350 diverse investment solutions across unit trusts, bonds or sukuk, structured products and insurance or takaful protection plans, along with legacy and protection solutions. It also offers access to relationship managers and wealth and insurance specialists, backed by regional plus global market insights. In the health segment, HSBC has partnered with Sunway Healthcare Group to offer up to 30 per cent discounts on selected health screening packages for HSBC Premier customers, as well as a 30 per cent discount at Sunway Medical Centre Damansara and a 20 per cent discount at other Sunway Medical Centres. The HSBC Premier Elite customers are entitled to a complimentary Elite Signature health screening package at any Sunway Medical Centre, said the bank. For the wellness aspect, HSBC has partnered with Sunway Sanctuary, which includes a 20 per cent discount on postnatal care packages and complimentary gifts for HSBC Premier customers, while its Premier Elite customers are entitled to a complimentary third night with every two-night stay at the Signature One Suite, Sunway Sanctuary. At the same time, HSBC is enhancing the benefits on its travel cards that are catered exclusively for HSBC Premier and HSBC Premier Elite customers, which include accelerated rewards and miles accumulation for their spend. For HSBC Premier customers who hold a HSBC Premier World Mastercard credit card, they can now enjoy up to 15 times reward points for every RM1 spent abroad, as long as they meet Premier eligibility criteria, along with six times complimentary access to Plaza Premium Lounges, up to US$500,000 complimentary travel insurance coverage offered by Mastercard and complimentary global data roaming in over 120 countries. As for its Premier Travel Card, which is a zero-fee credit card exclusively for its Premier Elite customers, the customers can earn 1.1 times air miles for every RM1 spent overseas and one time air mile for every RM4 spent locally, as well as 12 times lounge access to over 1,300 airports around the world. For the international segment, HSBC Premier customers can enjoy unrivalled international banking services, which include worldwide Premier recognition for themselves and their family, the ability to open an overseas HSBC account before leaving Malaysia, global money transfers to over 50 countries at zero fees, preferential foreign exchange rates and access to 11 major currencies in one HSBC Premier Everyday Global Account. To mark the launch, customers who join HSBC Premier or HSBC Premier Elite can earn 4.28 per cent per annum on their six months Time/Term Deposit/-i placed with HSBC and get reward points which allow customers to redeem flight tickets faster. Meanwhile, customers who invest or insure may get higher returns of up to 10.88 per cent per annum on their Time/Term Deposit/-i placements. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
The Star
43 minutes ago
- The Star
Johor leads data centre investment, 42 projects worth RM164.45bil approved as of 2Q
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor has emerged as the nation's leading data centre investment hub with 42 projects worth RM164.45 billion approved as of the second quarter (2Q) this year. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said these projects are expected to create over 6,000 quality job opportunities and contribute 78.6 per cent of the country's operational IT capacity. He also stated that Johor is targeting to house six per cent of Malaysia's data centre capacity by the year 2030. "In line with this development, the state government aspires to position Johor as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and the nation's digital economy. This will be achieved through the integration of smart technologies in public services, enhancing the competitiveness of industries, and building an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem so that the benefits of technology can be enjoyed by all levels of society," he said in a Facebook post. He added that the combination of large-scale data centre infrastructure, advances in AI technology, and progressive government policies will further position Johor as a potential regional digital innovation hub. "This initiative will not only drive economic growth but also improve the quality of life for the people of Johor through high-skilled job opportunities, the development of new industries, and smart solutions to everyday challenges," he said. In the same post, Onn Hafiz also shared that he met with Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to discuss the direction of the state's digital development at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur today. He said the meeting served as an important platform to strengthen Johor's role in the Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) and ensure that data centre development is carried out comprehensively, sustainably, and with real impact for the people. - Bernama
