Abd Karim: Despite tough geopolitical climate, Sarawak records 4.01 mln visitor arrivals

KUCHING (Dec 2): Sarawak recorded 4.01 million visitor arrivals from January to October this year, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said this was a slight increase of 0.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, despite challenging circumstances arising from the geopolitical climate.

“My ministry remains steadfast in positioning Sarawak as one of the premier tourism destinations, showcasing a vibrant array of arts, culture, and heritage,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) here.

He said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) remains Sarawak’s key tourism market, with Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia continuing to be major contributors.

“Brunei Darussalam recorded a total of 1,306,566 visitors, making up 32.6 per cent, while Indonesia contributed 583,568 visitors, constituting 14.5 per cent of the total arrivals in Sarawak from January to October this year,” he noted.

Additionally, China, Singapore, and the Philippines were also among the top contributors, recording 58,822, 52,406 and 39,284 visitors respectively.

“Meanwhile, domestic tourism continues to be significant, with a total of 1,769,561 visitors from other parts of Malaysia, representing 44.1 per cent of the total arrivals,” he added.

He pointed out that from January to October this year, Sarawak generated a remarkable RM10.22 billion in tourism receipts, averaging more than RM1 billion per month.

Abdul Karim shared that the opening of the Brooke Dockyard Industrial Heritage Museum is targeted for the first quarter of next year, while the redevelopment of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Swimming Pool into a Water Fun Park and Centre of Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy is expected to be completed by the second quarter of next year.

He also said that the Performing Arts Centre at the Old DUN Building is on track for completion in the second quarter of 2027.

Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, he said priority will continue to be given to key tourism-related projects and infrastructure, including the Sarawak Craft Centre, rejuvenation of the Kuching Waterfront, Darul Hana Malay Heritage Museum, Sarawak Arts Gallery, Bau Gold Mine Museum and Park, Sadong Jaya Mangrove Tourism, as well as the transformation of the Miri Petroleum Museum.

There will also be a focus on the conservation and upgrading of historical forts, including Fort Lili in Betong, Fort Brooke in Julau, Fort Emma in Kanowit, Fort Arundell in Lubok Antu, and Fort Hose in Marudi.

He added that the ministry will continue to safeguard Sarawak’s cultural assets for gazetted heritage buildings, including the Old Miri Resident’s and District Office and the Islamic Heritage Museum.