Cultural festivals are strategic platforms to preserve ethnic heritage, says tourism minister Karim

LAWAS, July 5 2026: Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has stressed cultural festivals are strategic platforms to preserve ethnic heritage, strengthen community unity and stimulate community economic growth through the development of cultural tourism.

Caption: Ba'Kelalan State Legislative Member Baru Bian representing Tourism Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the closing of the 39th Irau Aco Lun Bawang

He  said that investment in the cultural sector not only ensures that customs and traditions are preserved, but also contributes to human capital development, strengthening community identity and improving the local socio-economic situation.

“The government will continue to support the organisation of cultural festivals because investment in culture also brings benefits to community unity, youth development and local economic growth,” he said in his speech at the closing of the 39th Irau Aco Lun Bawang (IALB)  2026 at the Lawas Arena.

His text of speech was read by State Assemblyman for Ba’Kelalan Baru Bian.

According to  Karim, the Irau Aco Lun Bawang proves that the cultural festival can be a platform that unites the community, in addition to introducing the wealth of Sarawak’s ethnic heritage to the new generation and visitors from home and abroad.

He said that preserving cultural heritage requires continuous commitment from all parties, especially in ensuring that the customs, language, music, dance and traditional values of the Lun Bawang community continue to be preserved and passed on to the younger generation.

According to him, the active involvement of the youth is very important to ensure that cultural heritage is not only known as historical relics, but rather continues to develop as a relevant community identity and is able to support the development of Sarawak's cultural tourism industry.

He also expressed his appreciation to the 39th Irau Aco Lun Bawang Organising Committee, participants, entertainers, sponsors, government agencies, security forces and volunteers who have worked together to make the festival a success.

The postponement ceremony marked the end of the 39th Irau Aco Lun Bawang which once again successfully brought together the Lun Bawang community through various activities based on heritage, culture and tradition, thus strengthening its position as one of the important cultural festivals in northern Sarawak.

Also present was the Chairman of the 39th Irau Aco Lun Bawang Organising Committee Jerry Siran.

Grace Claudia is Kebaya Queen of Sebauh Festival 2026

BINTULU, July 5 2026: Grace Claudia Jilan was crowned Kebaya Queen in a competition held in conjunction with the Sebauh Festival 2026,  based on her best performance in terms of elegance, confidence and appreciation of the kebaya dress.

Caption: Grace Claudia is Queen of Kebaya of Sebauh Festival 2026

The victory entitled her to take home a cash prize of RM3,000, a tiara, a trophy, a bouquet of flowers and a certificate of participation.

Second place went to Diana Tinggau Louis who received a cash prize of RM2,500 along with a trophy, a bouquet of flowers and a certificate of participation, while third place went to Renai Joslee who took home a cash prize of RM2,000, a trophy, a bouquet of flowers and a certificate of participation.

The prizes to the winners were presented by Assistant Sebauh District Officer Frances Sherri Lia Jilan.

The competition was one of the main events of the 2026 Sebauh Festival which aims to elevate the kebaya dress as a cultural heritage, in addition to fostering an appreciation of traditional values among the community.

Caption: Time for "poco poco" as Bekikis Bulu Betis song is played.

The competition also provided a platform for participants to showcase the uniqueness of the traditional kebaya, thus contributing to efforts to preserve and introduce cultural heritage to the younger generation.

Also present were Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Kemena Branch chairman Jenny Bangga, and Pemanca Michael Lanyau Ruma.

PRS Youth supports the call for Parliament to expedite endorsement of 17 additional SLA seats

KUCHING, July 5 2026: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief Christopher Gira Sambang said the Youth wing fully supports the call for Parliament to immediately endorse the proposed additional 17 State Legislative Assembly (SLA) seats for Sarawak, which were unanimously passed in 2025.

Caption: PRS Youth chief Christopher Gira Sambang says PRS Youth urges the federal government and all Members of Parliament to expedite the endorsement of Sarawak's additional 17 SLA

He said the delay is difficult to justify since the proposal was made in accordance with the Federal Constitution and reflects Sarawak's growing population, vast geographical size, and the need to strengthen effective representation and service delivery to the people.

"At the same time, PRS Youth reiterates that the issue of Parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak must also be addressed without further delay,"  he said in a statement.

He stressed that  following Singapore's separation from Malaysia in 1965, the Parliamentary seat allocation should have been reviewed to reflect the original spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 

"This matter has remained unresolved for far too long," he pointed out..

Gira, who is also Tamin State Legislative Member (SLM), said PRS Youth firmly believes that the implementation of MA63 must not continue to be postponed, saying that the rights of Sabah and Sarawak, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and MA63, should be honoured through concrete action, not prolonged discussions.

"We are proud Malaysians and remain committed to strengthening the Federation," he said, adding that Sarawak's position is clear: MA63 First. 

"Fulfilling the promises and constitutional rights of Sabah and Sarawak will strengthen, not weaken, the unity of Malaysia.

"Therefore, PRS Youth urges the federal government and all Members of Parliament to expedite the endorsement of Sarawak's additional 17 SLA seats and to commence a comprehensive review of Parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak in line with the Federal Constitution and the spirit of MA63.

"A stronger Sarawak and Sabah within Malaysia will create a stronger Federation for all," he said.

Premier : High possibility that upcoming state election will use the 82 Sarawak Legislative Assembly seats

KUCHING, July 5 2026:  There is a high possibility that the upcoming 13th Sarawak State Election (SE13) will use the existing 82 State Legislative Assembly (SLA) seats if the process of adding 17 new seats has not been finalised according to the procedures set by the Election Commission (EC) this year.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg expresses hope that the addition to 99 seats could be realised as soon as all relevant procedures were finalised.

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the state government accepts that the process of adding seats is under the jurisdiction of the EC and must go through every procedure set before it can be implemented.

He said although SLA has passed a Bill relating to the addition of the seats, the process still needs to go through public exhibition, scrutiny of public feedback and other procedures conducted by the EC.

"It will take about seven months if it is from the beginning of the year, seven or six months to complete the process.

"So we accept the EC because our election is a democratic process, it must follow the legal framework under the EC.

"If the time frame is so tight, let's see when we hold the election and when our mandate ends and we'll see the situation," he said.

He said this when met by reporters after the Handover Ceremony of the Sri Satok Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) Building Construction Fund at the Datuk Amar Hajah Juma'ani Welfare Centre here on Sunday.

He admitted that there was a possibility that the addition of 17 new seats would not be able to come if the process set by the EC was not completed in time.

According to him, the situation did not affect the implementation of the election because SE13 could still be held using the existing 82 SLA seats.

At the same time, he hoped that the addition to 99 seats could be realised as soon as all relevant procedures were finalised.

He also stressed that the state government's priority was to ensure political stability and the continuity of the development agenda for the well-being of the people.

The SE13 is scheduled to be held no later than February 2027 when the term of the existing SLA expires.

AirBorneo: New, cheaper fares for its flight routes to be announced next week

KUCHING, July 5 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg said state-owned airline AirBorneo is expected to announce new, more competitive fares for its flight routes next week or mid-month, including fare packages that include baggage and in-flight meals at no additional charge.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg hinting that the Kuala Lumpur - Kuching flight fare will be cheaper as he has promised

He said the announcement involved several major routes, particularly the Kuala Lumpur-Kuching flight, in line with the state government's commitment to offering more affordable fares to the people.

"I can give you a little hint. The Kuala Lumpur-Kuching flight fare will be cheaper as we promised.
"The price also includes baggage and in-flight meals because usually airlines charge extra for baggage, but for AirBorneo everything has been calculated including meals on the plane," he said.

He said this when met by reporters after handing over Sri Satok Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) Building Construction Fund at the Datuk Amar Hajah Juma'ani Welfare Centre, here today.

Earlier this year, the premier announced that AirBorneo would commence jet aircraft operations in July 2026 as the second phase of the Sarawak government's expansion of the airline.

Initial operations are expected to involve Kuching routes to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Singapore and Jakarta after the first phase focused on Rural Air Services (RAS) using turboprop aircraft.

He had explained that the development of AirBorneo is part of the Sarawak government's long-term strategy to strengthen air connectivity, boost the tourism sector, attract investments and create more economic opportunities for the people.

Siti Farhana Adiba, Putri Ika Marissa emerge champions in the Ratu Kebaya competitions

KOTA SAMARAHAN, July 5 2026: Siti Farhana Adiba was crowned the Ratu Kebaya SFCF 2026 champion after successfully captivating the judges with her graceful and confident appearance.

Caption: The first, second and third placed winners of Ratu Kebaya Cilik SFCF 2026

The victory entitled her to take home a cash prize of RM1,500 and a trophy.

Second place was won by Phynterliana Agatha who received a cash prize of RM1,000 and a trophy, while Nur Sharmimi Izzaty came in third place by taking home a cash prize of RM700 and a trophy.

In the Ratu Kebaya Cilik SFCF 2026 category, Putri Ika Marissa emerged as the champion, taking home a cash prize of RM1,000 and a trophy, while Immaculate Kolvia won second place with a cash prize of RM800 and Aaira Inara came in third place and received a cash prize of RM600.

The prizes to the winners were presented by  Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali.

The Ratu Kebaya Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival (SFCF 2026) and Ratu Kebaya Cilik SFCF 2026 competitions were the  highlights of the festival last night.

Caption: The first, second and third placed  winners of Ratu Kebaya SFCF 2026

Held on the ninth night of the festival, the competition brought together adult and child participants who displayed kebaya with full confidence, elegance and appreciation of the aesthetic value of the cultural heritage of multi-racial communities.

The organisation of both competitions not only provides space for participants from various ages to showcase their talents and self-confidence, but also strengthens the role of SFCF 2026 as a platform to preserve, promote and elevate kebaya as a cultural heritage that continues to be relevant across generations in Sarawak.