MIRI: Changes to the Sarawak Cultural Heritage Ordinance are being drafted and expected to be tabled at the coming State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, revealed Sarawak Museum Department acting director Suria Bujang.
He said the Ordinance would include three new components — Underwater Heritage, the Heritage Council and the Heritage Trust Fund.
He was speaking at the International Conference on Archaeology 2019 themed ‘Promoting Archaeology as Heritage Tourism’ at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.
About 200 participants from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Australia, Malaysia, and Sarawak attended the event which runs until Saturday.
“Once (the Bill) passed, it will clarify and enhance the role of the director of Sarawak Museum Department in the protection and preservation of the state’s heritage,” Suria explained.
On the Sarawak Museum Complex, which is expected to open next year, Suria was confident that it would pave the way to achieving this goal and become a must-visit place for visitors to Kuching, Sarawak.
“It will be a repository centre showcasing Sarawak’s rich cultural and historical heritage through its exhibitions.”
He added that the complex would also become a centre for learning, knowledge and research through collaborations with local and international agencies and institutions.
The conference will see a total of 18 speakers from seven countries presenting a wide range of topics pertaining to archaeology.
Officiating at the conference was Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The conference is a joint collaboration between the Department of National Heritage; Malaysia Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry; and the Sarawak Museum Department under the Sarawak Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry.
Earlier, National Heritage Department commissioner Mesran Mohd Yusop lauded the collaboration as he believed it helped provide a strategic platform for knowledge sharing among researchers and the distribution of research findings to students and agencies.
“It also helps promote cultural sites, in addition it can be used as a medium to disseminate information about tangible and intangible heritage and to instil awareness among the public.”
Mesran disclosed that efforts were being made so that Niah National Park in Miri would be nominated as Unesco World Heritage Site after Lenggong Valley.
“The recognition is proof of Malaysia’s commitment towards the conservation and preservation of National Heritage, including Cultural Natural Heritage (tangible and intangible), to date, the total gazetted list for heritage items under National Heritage (Warisan Kebangsaan) is 751 and Heritage (Warisan) is 229,” he revealed.
Also present was Malaysia Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry undersecretary Dr Tan Awang Besar.
