By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 21: The strong backing received for the 29th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2026 reflects growing confidence in Sarawak’s tourism direction, culture-led tourism strategy, and ability to position itself as a globally competitive destination, says Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said sponsorship support for the festival went beyond corporate contributions and represented shared belief, ambition, and trust in Sarawak’s future.
“In many ways, sponsorship is also a reflection of trust — trust in the strength of our destination brand, trust in the value of culture-led tourism, and trust in Sarawak’s future as a destination capable of competing and standing out within an increasingly experience-driven global tourism landscape,” he said in a speech text read by Deputy Minister for Tourism Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew during the RWMF 2026 Sponsors’ Appreciation Day at Sheraton Hotel Kuching today.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor said the continued success of the Rainforest World Music Festival is driven by the collective commitment of sponsors, partners, collaborators, media organisations, tourism stakeholders, and supporting agencies.
“One of the most meaningful things about the RWMF is that no single organisation can build it alone.
“Every edition of RWMF is shaped by people and partners who continue to contribute their time, expertise, resources, creativity, and belief into making the festival what it is today,” she said.
As part of RWMF 2026, Malaysia Aviation Group comprising Malaysia Airlines and Firefly are the Diamond sponsors and Official Airline Partners, while Sarawak Media Group through TVS is the Diamond sponsor and Official Broadcast Partner.
Platinum sponsors are Cuckoo International (Mal) Sdn Bhd as Sustainable Partner, F&N Marketing Sdn Bhd as Non-Alcoholic Beverage Partner, Plaza Merdeka and The Waterfront Hotel Kuching, Media Exchange, Avis Budget Malaysia, and Carlsberg Marketing Sdn Bhd.
Gold sponsors are Astro Radio stations comprising Sinar FM, Mix FM, Lite FM, and Era FM Sarawak as Official Radio Partners, as well as Solarvest Borneo Sdn Bhd (Sarawak) as Sustainable Partner.
Wicked Wave Sdn Bhd through Ripcurl is the Silver sponsor and Official Apparel Partner, while supporting partners are PETROS and Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd.
Taking place under the theme “Regenerations: Roots & Rhythms”, RWMF 2026 will be held from June 26 to 28.
RWMF 2026 will also continue implementing sustainability initiatives including Green Ruai, Green Warriors, recycling programmes, water refill stations, waste reduction measures, and eco-conscious festival operations.
The festival was ranked No. 8 in the Top 10 category at the Transglobal World Music Chart – Festival Awards 2025.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) permanent secretary Morshidi Fredrick, and SMG chairwoman Datuk Norhyati Mohd Ismail. — DayakDaily
