In the first week of October, Sarawak achieved its goal of three million tourist arrivals for this year, according to Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts.

Abdul Karim expressed his amazement that Sarawak had reached the goal before the year ended and mentioned that the state is currently seeing close to four million tourist visitors.

“I am very confident that with the types of events and activities that we are organising from now until the year-end (such as the 2024) countdown event and the official launching of the country’s tallest flagpole, we might be able to achieve four million visitors,” he said.

Abdul Karim said this when officiating the 33rd anniversary gala dinner of Kuching-Samarahan Pan Chern Liew Clan Association last night.

Abdul Karim said Sarawakians have been able to live together peacefully and harmoniously despite differences in ethnicities and religions, unlike the constant divisions and conflicts that are happening in Peninsular Malaysia.

“There is no racial extremism. There is no problem on race and no problem on religion (in Sarawak). Unfortunately, this is not what is happening in Peninsular Malaysia,” he added.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, disclosed that despite being a Muslim, he is the chairperson of a committee overseeing the construction of a church in his constituency.

Meanwhile, on a recent statement by Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad who claimed that Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Lim Guan Eng and his father Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang are related to the late communist leader Chin Peng and the late former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, Abdul Karim felt that it was highly defamatory.