Abdul Karim: For the 30th Anniversary Rainforest World Music Festival, Upgraded Venue and Invitations to Even Bigger International Superstars

(Kuching, 29th) Despite the surge in air ticket prices, attendance at the 2026 Rainforest World Music Festival only dropped slightly by about 2%. Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim, stated that the state government hopes that, as the music festival marks its 30th anniversary next year, upgraded venue facilities and a stronger international headline lineup will attract more domestic and foreign visitors to participate.

Abdul Karim explained that due to conflicts in the Middle East disrupting global air travel, air ticket prices have increased, and the organizers were once worried it would affect this year's attendance.

"We were indeed concerned that this year’s attendance would be affected, but in the end, the decline remained manageable, and we are very satisfied with this year’s turnout."

"Compared to last year, this year only dropped by about 2%. Last year, there were about 23,000 attendees; this year, there were about 21,000 to 22,000 people."

He made these remarks during a media interview after attending the closing ceremony of the 2026 Rainforest World Music Festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village on Sunday (June 28).

Even though the number of attendees decreased slightly, Abdul Karim described this year’s results as encouraging, and he is confident that when the important milestone of the 30th anniversary arrives next year, more visitors will come.

"Next year’s performance lineup and international headliners will definitely be stronger, more attractive, and will draw even bigger crowds."

"We also hope that by then, there will be no more wars affecting tourists’ travels, as well as the number of people coming to visit Sarawak."

He also emphasized that the costs involved in upgrading the stage and related infrastructure for next year’s music festival will not be passed on to ticket buyers.

"We will not pass on the costs of upgrading the stage and other facilities to the audience. These improvements are intended to further enhance the overall quality of the music festival."

He said the organizers plan to redesign the main stage next year to create a more comfortable viewing space, and to improve backstage facilities in order to provide a more refined performance environment for artists.

However, Abdul Karim also admitted that the upgrading works on the Kuching-Damai road expected to be carried out next year may temporarily impact traffic to the event during the festival period.

"Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival, an important milestone, and we hope to make the music festival more exciting and successful than ever before."