Abdul Karim (front, fourth right) is seen during a photo-call for the Miri Country Music Festival. At front third left is Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting.
MIRI: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is open to proposals for a World Music festival to be held here.
Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Miri could host a festival similar to the Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching.
“I welcome that. We would love to see event management companies coming over with the proposal,” Abdul Karim said during a press conference for the Miri Country Music Fest 2019, held on Thursday.
“Next year, we would have a little extra money for events. We cannot go wrong when we have music festivals as what we want is to see people happy.
“If you are happy, I believe the community and the city would be better. So, if you have any friends who are willing to organise, take up this challenge.”
According to Abdul Karim, Sarawak has recorded over four million visitor arrivals this year to date.
“The majority of them are from our neighbouring countries including Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore, as well as India and China,” he said.
For Visit Malaysia Year 2020 campaign, he said Sarawak would be eyeing five million visitor arrivals, with RM8.18 billion in tourism receipts.
“We should be seeing more tourists coming to Sarawak, but I am not really too much bothered about numbers. What is important is the quality of people coming down here to appreciate our culture, nature, and heritage,” he emphasised.
Abdul Karim pointed out music festivals had successfully drawn people to the state.
“I am very happy to see this Miri Country Music Fest having reached its sixth year. I do hope to see Miri Country Music Fest reach the level of Rainforest World Music Festival, which has entered its 23rd edition this year and received many international awards,” he said.
The festival at Coco Cabana, which ends tonight (Nov 23), features the Dolly Parton Tribute Act – Diamond Dolly from the UK, Johnny Cash Experience from Germany, and Fields from Australia.