Balai Seni Negara himpun karya kontemporari empat negara

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Pameran KePulauan: Refleksi BIMP-EAGA melalui seni kontemporari yang menghimpunkan karya dari Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia dan Filipina dirasmikan malam tadi oleh Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya (MOTAC), Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot di Balai Seni Negara. 

Pameran anjuran MOTAC melalui Lembaga Pembangunan Seni Visual Negara (LPSVN) itu dibuka kepada orang ramai bermula hari ini sehingga 31 Mei 2026 di Galeri 3A, Balai Seni Negara. 

Balai Seni Negara dalam kenyataan medianya menyebut, inisiatif itu adalah sebahagian daripada agenda diplomasi budaya MOTAC yang terkandung dalam Pelan Strategik 2021–2025, selaras dengan usaha memperkukuh jaringan kerjasama strategik dalam sektor pelancongan dan kebudayaan serantau. 

Pameran ini juga katanya, menyokong visi BIMP-EAGA 2025 yang berteraskan prinsip berdaya tahan, inklusif, mampan dan berdaya saing dari segi ekonomi (R.I.S.E.), selain menjadi pengisian penting sempena Kepengerusian Malaysia dalam ASEAN tahun ini.

"Ia turut memberi fokus kepada refleksi visual seniman dari rantau BIMP-EAGA yang menyentuh pelbagai tema termasuk ekonomi, hubungan sosial, penjagaan alam sekitar, keilmuan serta kearifan tempatan di kawasan timur ASEAN.

"Wilayah yang terbabit meliputi seluruh Kesultanan Brunei Darussalam, Kalimantan, Sulawesi dan Maluku di Indonesia, negeri Sabah, Sarawak serta Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan di Malaysia, dan kawasan selatan Filipina seperti Kepulauan Mindanao dan Palawan," katanya.

Antara seniman Malaysia yang terbabit dalam pameran itu termasuklah Josrie Haral, Muslim Mattajim dan Dr Mohamad Faizuan Mat. 

Sebanyak 12 karya dipamerkan membabitkan elbagai medium termasuk media campuran, instalasi, catan, fotografi, audio dan videografi. Antara karya yang ditampilkan termasuk satu daripada Koleksi Seni Visual Negara oleh seniman Malaysia, Yee I-Lann.

-berita harian online.

Jakarta has greenlighted resumption of Pontianak-Kuching flights, says Sarawak minister

 

Sarawak Tourism, creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah gives the thumbs up to this year's Rainforest World Music Festival. STR/BRUNO J

KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said the Indonesian president had given the clearance to resume flights between the suspended Pontianak-Kuching route. 

The route was suspended in the middle of March 2020 due to travel restrictions brought about by the Covid‑19 pandemic. 

Despite being a temporary move, flights on the route remained stayed suspended even after travel restrictions were lifted as countries adapted to the pandemic. 

"They're opening up their skies," Karim told journalists covering the Rainforest World Music Festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong.

"We've been asking and asking… restart the Pontianak-Kuching flights. But clearance was not given. "And recently, I was made to understand that they are opening up their skies," he added.

The minister said it's now up to the airlines to start operating the route again. 

Karim said the route had much potential and it could be as profitable as the Kuching-Jakarta route. "The flight frequency from Kuching-Jakarta used to be once a day. Now, it's already twice a day. The (passenger) load is high either way. So, there's big potential there." 

The route, he said, therefore does not benefit Sarawak only, but It will also benefit people in Pontianak. 

"Instead of driving four to five hours (from Kuching ) to Pontianak, they might as well just fly half an hour. That will definitely benefit the tourism industry in Pontianak."

-nst online.

Sabah takes steps to become a medical wellness tourism hub

 

European Wellness is collaborating with the Sabah state government to position Sabah as a premier destination for medical wellness tourism on the global stage.

The partnership aims to harness Sabah’s natural beauty, rich heritage, and European Wellness’s expertise to create a holistic healthcare experience, with an emphasis on medical wellness and education tourism.

Mike Chan, a stem cell scientist and chairman of European Wellness, has pledged US$80 million to establish a biopharmaceutical manufacturing and research facility at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, an initiative that has been endorsed and supported by chief minister, Hajiji Noor.

Chan, along with his Sabahan wife Michelle Wong, aim to expand operations in Sabah, catering to the ASEAN and Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) markets.

In the wake of global health challenges impaired by the Covid-19 pandemic, this collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Sabah’s journey towards tourism, economic recovery and healthcare excellence.

-TTG Asia.

Sabah sharpens outfit to advance medical tourism

 

A plan is in the works to establish Sabah Health and Wellness Tourism Council (SHWTC) to market Sabah as a destination for medical tourism.

The pro-tem committee led by Anil Kumar met with the assistant minister of tourism, culture, and environment Joniston Bangkuai on June 13 to discuss the formation of SHWTC. The latter, who chairs the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), has been invited to be the advisor of the Council.

Sabah’s tourism leaders convened on June 13 to discuss the development of medical tourism

Anil said SHWTC will act as a one-stop centre for all matters related to the health paradigm.

“The council aims to provide impetus and focus to place Sabah health and wellness tourism on the world stage,” he said, adding that the state already has the required infrastructures and facilities.

He added that medical tourism will be a “new market” for the state, and will generate “high revenue”.

“We want to collaborate with STB on how we can effectively advertise this area and attract people from neighbouring countries, particularly the BIMP-EAGA region, to seek health and wellness treatment in Sabah,” said Anil.

Joniston gave assurance that the STB would work closely with members of the local medical community to make Sabah a choice of destination for healthcare tourism.

He shared: “Other states, like Penang and Malacca, already have their state healthcare tourism councils, so this move is timely. Accordingly, this is also in line with STB’s efforts to attract high-end travellers.

“We’ve had success in other sectors of tourism, such as rural tourism, and there’s no reason why Sabah can’t do the same in medical tourism.”

Joniston added: “We must work closely together to achieve the goal, develop strategic plans to promote health care services here, and look at prospective target markets, especially when Nusantara (on Borneo island, where Sabah state is also located) is set to become Indonesia’s new capital.”

Joniston suggested that SHWTC consider including representatives from relevant government and private agencies as members.

Meanwhile, Noredah Othman, STB’s CEO, mentioned that the NTO has started promoting medical tourism through the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council.

Nevertheless, she stated that STB was prepared to get on board with SHWTC to exchange experience and skills to develop a viable package for medical tourism in the state.

“It is essential to have local medical practitioners who can educate our stakeholders, such as hoteliers and tour operators, on the various healthcare options that are available to tourists.

“STB will be happy to collaborate with SHTWC to conduct a workshop for tourism players to increase their awareness on the offerings for medical tourism in the State,” she said.

-TTG Asia.