Samarahan Festival Exceeds RM300,000 Sales, Strengthens Its Tourism Potential
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival (SFCF) 2025 recorded more than RM300,000 in sales throughout its nine-day run, surpassing the initial RM250,000 target and marking one of its strongest performances to date.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the achievement reflects Samarahan’s growing appeal as a rising tourism and economic centre.
He noted that the festival has become a platform for young Bumiputera entrepreneurs, many of whom gained valuable experience in product testing, customer engagement and operating structured businesses.
He noted that the involvement of youth was especially encouraging, as many used the festival to learn, refine their offerings and grow into confident, capable entrepreneurs.
Dato Sri Abdul Karim added that demand for food, culture and lifestyle products continues to grow in Samarahan, fuelled by its expanding student population and workforce that have transformed the district into a lively education hub.
He compared SFCF’s momentum with the MBKS Festival, which recorded over RM1 million in three weeks, saying SFCF’s nine-day performance shows strong potential if extended in duration.
The minister also highlighted long-term development plans including flyover and elevated road projects on peat soil, the Automated Rapid Transit (ART) link to Kuching, and the proposed international airport in Asajaya, expected to support regional tourism and economic growth.
He encouraged the event organiser to propose SFCF for inclusion in the Sarawak Tourism Calendar 2026, saying food and culture remain among the world’s most effective tourism drivers.
Deputy Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Dato Idris Buang, praised MPKS for its consistent efforts, adding that the growth of events like SFCF reflects the impact of the state’s strengthened budget, which has increased from RM5.9 billion to RM14 billion.
The closing night featured cultural performances by Bayu UNIMAS, Sanggar Andari Pontianak, Kolej Bunga Raya, UiTM and guest artist Baggio Damasutra, witnessed by community leaders and district officers. -UKASnews
