MUKAH: The Kaul Festival has the potential to be a driving force for Mukah's tourism and economic sectors.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said this festival has been officially included in the Sarawak Tourism Calendar, which will attract many local and international tourists.

“The construction of the Mukah Airport is one of the government's efforts to encourage visitors from outside Mukah. 

"With this infrastructure, it will undoubtedly attract more visitors, not only during the Kaul Mukah Festival but also for other activities and programmes here.”

He said this in a speech read by the Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, during the opening ceremony of Kaul Mukah 2024 and Mukah Regatta 2024 at the Kaul Festival site on Saturday.

He added that the private sector also needs to play its role by further developing the tourism industry, such as by building more hotels and accommodation facilities, including homestay programmes, to meet the demands of tourists.

Moreover, the government will provide full support in making this event successful to ensure it is well-known among local and international communities.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information, and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Mukah Member of Parliament, Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib, Balingian Assemblyman, Abdul Yakub Arbi, Tellian Assemblyman Royston Valentine, and Daro Assemblyman, Shafiee Ahmad. -UKASnews