KUCHING – In a significant move to promote one of Sarawak’s most anticipated cultural events, YB Karim Hamzah, the minister overseeing the organisation of the Sarawak Regatta and Kuching Waterfront Festival 2025, led a high-level delegation this morning for a courtesy call on His Excellency the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak at the Sarawak State Palace in Petra Jaya, Kuching.
The purpose of the visit was to formally invite Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi and Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi to participate in several key events scheduled in early November, marking the celebration of Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage. Among these events is the Sarawak Drum Festival, which will take place on 1 November at the Kuching Waterfront. The festival is expected to welcome royal guests including His Majesty the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, and His Majesty the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who will be accompanied by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.
The closing ceremony of the Sarawak Regatta 2025 will be held on 2 November, with His Excellency the Tun invited as the guest of honour. Al-Sultan Abdullah will conclude his visit as the royal guest of the event. The annual regatta has long been recognised as a key milestone in Sarawak, highlighting local traditions, performing arts, and cultural heritage while strengthening unity among the people.
YB Karim Hamzah was joined by notable officials during the courtesy call, including Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts (Creative Industries and Performing Arts), Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Deputy Minister (Tourism), Kuching Division Resident Dayang Joanita Azizah Abang Morshidi, and representatives from the Malaysian Handicrafts Development Corporation, JKKN Sarawak, Sarawak Rivers Authority, UKAS, and the Sarawak State Protocol Unit.
The minister emphasised that the Sarawak Regatta and Kuching Waterfront Festival 2025 reflect the state government’s commitment to preserving Sarawak’s cultural identity while promoting tourism and community participation.
