Sarawak misses five million visitor arrivals target by almost 29,000

KUCHING, Jan 15 2026: Sarawak is short of   28,821 visitor arrivals to reach its target of five million arrivals for 2025, according to Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Caption: Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah speaking to reporters after attending SBA-Yonex Sunrise Agreement. - Picture by Ukas 

He said a total of 4,971,197 visitor arrivals were recorded for the whole of last year, generating a revenue of about RM12,154,246 billion.

However, the visitor arrivals in 2025 was highest ever achieved by the state.

“We may not be able to achieve the five million target that was set, but when it comes to tourism revenue for last year, that is also the highest achievement we have ever achieved,” he told reporters after attending the Sarawak Badminton Association SBA – YONEX Sunrise Agreement Signing ceremony here today.

He said the achievement has provided a flood of benefits to the hospitality industry including hotels, restaurants, guesthouses and homestays which continue to enjoy an increase in tourist arrivals, thus boosting the local economy.

He said that the state’s tourism industry is seen to be on a solid track as revenue growth not only benefits industry players, but also contributes to government revenue through tax collection.

Touching on next year’s target, Karim expected Sarawak to potentially reach or exceed the five million visitor target by 2026, based on the trends of increasing visitor arrivals over the past few years.

He said Brunei remains the largest contributor to visitor arrivals to Sarawak, followed by Indonesia, in line with the improving air and land transport links between Sarawak and the neighbouring country.

 

RM4 billion allocation for the construction of government quarters, says Sarawak premier

 

GEDONG, Jan 15 2026: A total of RM4 billion has been allocated under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the construction of government quarters throughout Sarawak.

Premier Abang Johari: Many civil servants posted to small and remote districts do not have any quarters provided for them. 

Premier Abang Johari Openg said that the quarters will be used by both state and federal civil servants working in Sarawak.

Explaining the necessity of building the quarters, the premier said many civil servants who are posted to small and remote districts are without quarters provided for them, raising questions about how they can live and carry out their duties comfortably without good basic facilities.

“In this regard, a new approach has been formulated to resolve this issue, namely by building quarters that will be shared between the Sarawak Government and the Federal Government.

“Under 13MP, an approximately RM4 billion has been allocated for the construction of quarters throughout Sarawak.

“This facility will later be used jointly by the federal and Sarawak agencies, thus strengthening cooperation between both parties to build a stronger Sarawak and Malaysia in the future,” he said when speaking at the opening of the Digitalization of Health Clinics Using CCMS and the Healthy Malaysia National Agenda Tour (ANMS) here today.

He explained that these quarters will later be built using the concept of apartments, to be equipped with, among pyhers, gym equipment and recreational facilities.

“So far, we have developed them in Mulu, which is in the airport centre, in Limbang, which is next to the Limbang Division’s Resident Office and Jepak in Bintulu,” he explained.

He explained that this effort is to provide complete comfort and facilities to all civil servants, both those under the federal government and Sarawak.

Management of 147 clinics across Sarawak to be digitised with an allocation of RM10 million

GEDONG. Jan 15 2026: The management of 147 clinics in Sarawak will be digitised using the 'Cloud-Based Clinic Management System (CCMS). 

Abang Johari Openg: Patients also benefit from the overall system as they can store their health records wherever they are. 

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the state government will allocate RM10 million to implement the new system that make things easier for doctors and nurses at clinics by shortening clerical work and giving them more time to treat patients.

According to him, patients also benefit from the overall system as they can store their health records wherever they are.

"So in the spirit of helping the people and the spirit of the Malaysian nation, Sarawak will give RM10 million.

"With the CCMS system, health clinics throughout Sarawak will have a network to the patient database," he said when speaking at the opening of Digitalization of Health Clinics Using CCMS and the Healthy Malaysia National Agenda Tour (ANMS) today.

Apart from this system, the premier also said that the federal Ministry of Health (MoH) has provided eight mobile dental clinic units in an effort to help patients, especially those in rural areas, access dental treatment.

"The price per unit is RM1 million and they (MoH) have given eight units, meaning RM8 million in total," he explained.

According to him, a mobile dental clinic will later be located in Kota Samarahan which will erve Tambirat, Sebuyau and surrounding areas including several other areas such as Sarikei and Lawas.

He explained that the number of mobile dental clinic units will be increased if there is a need pressing from time to time.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, in his welcoming speech, said that Sarawak still has 117 health clinics and 49 dental clinics that have not been digitized, with an estimated cost implication of RM16 million.

With the strong cooperation between the two government bodies today, he is confident that they will be able to find a way to complete the remaining efforts to ensure equitable access to digital health for all Sarawakians, whether in the cities or in the countryside.

On that occasion, Dr Dzulkefly also announced funds totaling RM950,000 to the Gedong Health Clinic for the purpose of launching operations and purchasing health equipment at the clinic.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premiers Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing  Development Fatimah Abdullah and Deputy Minister of Health Hanifah Hajar Taib