STB to continue organising Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak, says chairman

KUCHING (July 10): The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has reaffirmed its commitment to continue organising the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in Sarawak and seek ways to enhance its appeal each year.

STB chairman Dato Dennis Ngau stated that the festival, now in its 27th edition, remains a key attraction that draws visitors from around the world to Sarawak.

“RWMF is one of our main attractions, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world to Sarawak.

“In fact, we at STB continuously find ways to make it more attractive each year. That’s why I firmly believe that one of the reasons we could attract more than 26,000 visitors for the three days this year, for the very first time, is because we introduced new features to the festival.

“We will continue to maintain the attractiveness of this festival,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted today.

Dennis highlighted new initiatives introduced this year to sustain and grow the festival, including the Rainforest Youth Summit (Rays), which brought in over 1,000 university students and youth, mostly local, with some from abroad.

“This is all part of the strategy to introduce and sustain the Rainforest World Music Festival. These young people will become the next crowd in the future.

“We are already discussing plans for what we will do next year,” he added.

Dennis said despite being held for 27 years, interest in the RWMF has not waned.

“Mind you, it has been there for 27 years. Most of the time, when events have gone that long, interest may dwindle. But not with the Rainforest World Music Festival.

“From the beginning, with 300 people 27 years ago, it has grown to attract 26,000 visitors today,” said Dennis.

Addressing recent rumours or suggestions about the possibility of relocating the festival from Sarawak, Dennis stated unequivocally that they will not allow the festival to be moved elsewhere.

“It will not happen. Full stop. There’s no way we will allow this to be brought somewhere else outside Sarawak,” said Dennis.

The RWMF 2024, carrying the theme ‘Evolution’, was held at the Sarawak Cultural Village from June 28 to 30.