Story perspectives

Full-Scale Festivals in Sarawak Amid Spending Concerns

3/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sarawak's Minister for Tourism, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the state will host major tourism and cultural events at full scale despite calls for prudent spending.
He argued that scaling down events would undermine their purpose of showcasing Sarawak's culture and attracting visitors.
He supports full-scale festivals, but moderation could apply to some celebrations, such as reducing the number of dishes at Hari Raya open houses.
The Sarawak Premier is not expected to host a state-level open house this year due to a period of mourning.

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Story summary

Sarawak's Minister for Tourism, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the state will host major tourism and cultural events at full scale despite calls for prudent spending.
He argued that scaling down events would undermine their purpose of showcasing Sarawak's culture and attracting visitors.
He supports full-scale festivals, but moderation could apply to some celebrations, such as reducing the number of dishes at Hari Raya open houses.
The Sarawak Premier is not expected to host a state-level open house this year due to a period of mourning.