‘Different names, similar content’: Minister says Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival part of annual rollout

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (back row, fourth left) and other dignitaries pose with young winners of the ‘My Dream Park’ poster drawing and colouring competition held in conjunction with the Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival 2026 at Pasar Tamu MPKS Desa Ilmu, Kota Samarahan on July 6, 2026.

By Shikin Louis

KOTA SAMARAHAN, July 6: The Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival (SFCF) is part of Sarawak’s broader initiative to hold annual food and cultural festivals across all divisions under different names but with similar content.

Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the approach ensures that each division hosts its own food and cultural festival every year, citing the SFCF as well as similar programmes such as the Taste of Borneo Carnival in Miri and the Borneo Cultural Festival in Sibu.

“This is because when I was appointed as the minister, the objective was to ensure every division has its own food and culture festival.

“The names may differ, but the content is similar,” he said during the closing ceremony of SFCF 2026 at the Pasar Tamu MPKS Desa Ilmu site here earlier tonight.

He added that such programmes are not tied to election periods, but are held annually based on their benefits to the people, especially entrepreneurs.

Looking ahead, Abdul Karim said the ministry would consider increasing support for similar programmes in the future, depending on budget allocations and continuity of leadership.

Meanwhile, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali said vendors selling a wide variety of food and beverages recorded encouraging sales throughout the festival.

He said total revenue reached RM550,000 as of July 5 and was projected to hit RM600,000 by the closing night, surpassing the RM407,000 recorded during the 2025 edition.

Abang Ismawi Abang Ali

He added that businesses surrounding the festival venue also benefited, with nearby premises collectively recording an estimated RM150,000 increase in sales compared to normal trading days.

“The achievement demonstrated that the Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival had evolved beyond being merely a food and cultural celebration, serving instead as a catalyst for local economic growth by creating greater opportunities for entrepreneurs to boost their income and showcase their products,” he said.

Also present were Samarahan Division Resident Rais Ahmat; Padawan Municipal Council chairman Tan Kai; Asajaya District Officer Jerry Zannuddin Bidin; MPKS secretary Zuraida Idris; representative for Samarahan District Officer Siti Zaharah Mohamad Mohmood; MPKS deputy chairman Cr Daily Joseph; and SFCF 2026 organising chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr Sopian Bujang. — DayakDaily