From Vatican, Japan, Philippines, Uzbekistan: M’sian embassies tap S’wak performers for cultural promotion

A Sarawak performing group at the Sarawak Arts Council Appreciation Night held in Kuching on April 6, 2026. Photo: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Apr 7: The Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts continues to receive requests from Malaysian embassies abroad to help promote Sarawak’s arts and culture.

Its minister, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said that just recently, the Malaysian embassy in Uzbekistan had sent a request seeking the participation of performing groups from Sarawak to support a cultural promotion programme in the country.

Abdul Karim, who is also the Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports, and Development, said that the SAC had sent several performing groups to Japan, the Philippines, and the Vatican at the request of Malaysian embassies in those countries.

“I see this as an opportunity to boost the confidence of those involved in the performing arts industry that they too can be sent overseas, not limited to dancers alone,” he said when speaking at the Sarawak Arts Council (SAC) Appreciation Night here on Monday (Apr 6), as reported by TVS.

He said that the ministry is making various arrangements to ensure both parties can achieve a win-win situation, particularly in terms of costs.

“We may cover their flight expenses, but accommodation and meals could be handled by the Malaysian embassy or the Malaysian High Commission in the respective country,” he explained.

At the same time, he expressed hope that the arts and culture promoted would also include other ethnic groups in Sarawak and not be limited to dance performances alone.

“We have 34 ethnic groups, and we are blessed with a diverse range of food, so we can showcase dishes such as umai, pansuh, laksa, and mi kampua.

“In addition, each ethnic group has its own culture, dances and traditional attire, and this is where the SAC plays its role,” he said.

Also present during the programme were Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts deputy ministers Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Sebastian Ting, as well as SAC chief executive officer Dr Suffian Jalet. — DayakDaily