Latest news with #august
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak on track to achieve five million visitors this year
KUCHING: Sarawak's tourism sector is on a robust growth trajectory when over 1.6 million visitors were already recorded within the first four months of this year, putting it on the right track to achieve its 2025 target of five million visitors, said State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. He said the visitors' arrival to date had also given him the confidence that Sarawak could register RM12.73 billion in tourism receipts this year. 'Tourism receipts reached RM12.45 billion in 2024, up from RM9.99 billion in 2023. From January to April this year, we have already generated RM4.07 billion,' he said when winding up on behalf of the ministry at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly here today. According to him, Sarawak welcomed 4.83 million visitors last year, a 23 per cent increase compared to the previous year, and this exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic figures by 3.63 per cent. He said the majority of Sarawak's international tourists come from neighbouring ASEAN countries. Brunei Darussalam topped the list with 1.89 million visitors, followed by Indonesia (653,883), Singapore (59,793), and the Philippines (46,853). Meanwhile, Abdul Karim also told the august House that under the 12th Malaysia Plan, Sarawak has allocated RM382.57 million, supplemented by an additional RM136.44 million under Projek Rakyat and RM49.9 million in federal funds via the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to improve tourism infrastructure. He said the completed projects include conservation works on historic forts, ecotourism facilities at Santubong National Park, upgrades to the Melasak Waterfall Tourism Centre, and enhancements to the Sarawak Cultural Village. On the Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) programme, he said it had seen growing interest since 2020 and as of this month, 3,141 applications have been approved since its inception in 2007. 'In 2024, 560 approvals under SMM2H brought in RM111.6 million in fixed deposits, while 265 approvals in early 2025 have added another RM65.3 million,' he said, adding that top participants for the programme hail from China, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United States.
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
KUTS Phase 1 slightly behind schedule, says minister
Lee (left) and ministry permanent secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng go through the winding-up speech prior to the start of the sitting. KUCHING (May 27): Phase 1 of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) has achieved 29.89 per cent actual progress as of April this year, slightly behind the actual estimated progress of 33.86 per cent for the month, the august House was told yesterday. The Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin attributed the delay to the complexity and scale of the infrastructure works involved, which include extensive engineering and coordination efforts across multiple project sites. Despite this, he assured that construction is progressing steadily and remains aligned with Sarawak's broader goal of implementing a modern, green public transport system powered by clean hydrogen energy. 'KUTS, a flagship initiative under Sarawak's land transport transformation agenda, also supports the National Green Investment Strategies and the National Energy Transition Roadmap. 'To date, six infrastructure packages under KUTS have been awarded. Two have already been completed which is the Advanced Ground Foundation Works for the Rembus Depot, and a 3km stretch in Samarahan essential for the Proof of Concept trial run,' he said in his winding-up speech for his ministry. Lee said the remaining four packages—Rembus Depot Infrastructure Package, Blue Line Package 1, Blue Line Package 2, and the Red Line Package—are currently under construction. 'Preparations for the tendering of the Green Line infrastructure package are also underway,' he added. Apart from that, he highlighted national efforts complementing Sarawak's green mobility agenda, particularly the RM15 million Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station pilot project launched in Putrajaya. Lee also noted that the transport sector currently contributes about 16.3 per cent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. 'This pilot project, alongside Sarawak's progressive hydrogen agenda, reinforces Malaysia's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 and supports our vision of becoming a regional hub for hydrogen mobility,' he said. DUN sitting Kuching Urban Transportation System Lee Kim Shin project delays
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
KUTS Phase 1 slight behind schedule, says minister
Lee (left) and ministry permanent secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng go through the winding-up speech prior to the start of the sitting. KUCHING (May 27): Phase 1 of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) has achieved 29.89 per cent actual progress as of April this year, slightly behind the actual estimated progress of 33.86 per cent for the month, the august House was told yesterday. The Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin attributed the delay to the complexity and scale of the infrastructure works involved, which include extensive engineering and coordination efforts across multiple project sites. Despite this, he assured that construction is progressing steadily and remains aligned with Sarawak's broader goal of implementing a modern, green public transport system powered by clean hydrogen energy. 'KUTS, a flagship initiative under Sarawak's land transport transformation agenda, also supports the National Green Investment Strategies and the National Energy Transition Roadmap. 'To date, six infrastructure packages under KUTS have been awarded. Two have already been completed which is the Advanced Ground Foundation Works for the Rembus Depot, and a 3km stretch in Samarahan essential for the Proof of Concept trial run,' he said in his winding-up speech for his ministry. Lee said the remaining four packages—Rembus Depot Infrastructure Package, Blue Line Package 1, Blue Line Package 2, and the Red Line Package—are currently under construction. 'Preparations for the tendering of the Green Line infrastructure package are also underway,' he added. Apart from that, he highlighted national efforts complementing Sarawak's green mobility agenda, particularly the RM15 million Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station pilot project launched in Putrajaya. Lee also noted that the transport sector currently contributes about 16.3 per cent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. 'This pilot project, alongside Sarawak's progressive hydrogen agenda, reinforces Malaysia's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 and supports our vision of becoming a regional hub for hydrogen mobility,' he said. DUN sitting Kuching Urban Transportation System Lee Kim Shin project delays
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Julaihi: Sarawak approves RM550 mln to continue implementing Alaf projects
Julaihi addresses members of the august House during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today. – Photo by Sarawak Public Communications Unit KUCHING (May 25): The Sarawak government has approved RM550 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to continue implementing the Additional and Late Applicant Fund (Alaf) projects, which are expected to benefit around 30,600 new rural households, said Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. The Utilities and Telecommunications Minister said the allocation reflects the state's continued commitment to rural electrification. 'The Alaf programme was introduced to provide electricity access to rural households that were previously missed during earlier rollout phases or had submitted late applications,' he said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today. Julaihi noted that under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), RM315 million was allocated for Alaf phases 1 to 4, covering 21,073 households. 'A total of 19,382 households or 92 per cent have been completed, while the remainder are at various stages of implementation,' Julaihi added. He said as part of Sarawak's energy transition agenda, several new renewable energy proposals are undergoing feasibility studies at key dam sites. Julaihi noted that these studies focus on potential developments, such as large-scale solar farms and pumped hydro energy storage systems. 'Several private companies have submitted proposals for renewable energy generation, and feasibility studies are being conducted at locations such as the Bengoh, Batang Ai, Bakun, and Murum dams,' he said. Julaihi further stated that these initiatives form part of Sarawak's broader strategy to diversify its energy mix and position itself as a regional renewable energy hub under the 'Battery of Asean' vision.
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sagah: Sarawak's Free Tertiary Education Scheme to benefit 10,000 next year
Sagah speaks in the august House during the State Legislative Assembly today. – Sarawak Public Communications Unit photo KUCHING (May 26): Around 10,000 Sarawakian students will benefit from the upcoming Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) which will be implemented starting next year, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said the scheme, which was approved by the Sarawak government in March this year, is projected to cost approximately RM300 million in its first year. 'FTES will first focus on undergraduate degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related fields, law, medicine, accounting, finance and psychology. 'This scheme is only for Sarawakians and will apply to four higher-learning Sarawak-owned institutions namely Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College,' he said when winding up his ministerial speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today. He also said that under the scheme, a stipend of RM15,000 per year is also included to students from households with a per capita income of RM1,500 or below per month. 'However, there are also other financial assistance in the form of scholarship or loan, provided by Yayasan Sarawak to cater for any other courses, so nobody is being left out,' he said. During the winding-up, Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) has sought for clarification from Sagah querying why not all the courses were provided free to the Sarawakian students. 'According to my research on the revenues of these universities, their total revenue for a year comes up to RM150 million. These include revenue or tuition fees paid by foreign students who I believe are not entitled to the free education benefits. 'All in all, it is less than RM150 million to give the free education to all Sarawakian students studying at these higher learning institutions so why are there only certain courses provided?' he asked. To this, Sagah said FTES is only at its first stage upon its implementation in 2026. 'This is only the beginning, and we must also spend wisely. We are also looking at the talents we need and what kind of talents would be required by the state in the next few years. 'It doesn't mean that we are now offering these courses and we will stop at that,' he said. 2026 Free Tertiary Education Scheme lead Sarawakian students
