SADONG JAYA: The Bugis culture and heritage must be kept alive for continued legacy and genealogy of the Bugis community in Sarawak.
State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki said for instance, the unique food and traditional clothes of the Buginese need to be preserved and passed down to present and future generations.
“At the same, the Bugis community also needs to maintain the spirit of unity among themselves. This is important as it symbolises the race’s identity,” the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) reported.
Abu Bakar was officiating at the ‘Community Level Culture and Heritage’ event closing ceremony at the Al Bugisiah Mosque in Kampung Pelandok Ulu, Sadong Jaya recently.
At the same time, he also said that though the Bugis community is a small group, it is able to foster unity with all races.
“The Bugis community is also part of the population that forms unity and always supports the government along with the current leadership.
“The Bugis community in Batang Sadong, in the early stages, was heavily involved in the agricultural sector. That is why the Bugis community is famous for having large paddy fields and farms,” he said.
He also urged the younger generation to always take care of and preserve the Bugis heritage and culture so that it continues to be recognised.
On another note, Abu Bakar said an application to set up a Bugis heritage gallery has been approved next to the Sadong Jaya District Mosque and it will house Bugis heritage such as clothes and equipment.
“I have also discussed with the lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to create a book on the history of the early arrival of the Bugis in Sarawak.
“If successful, it will be launched with the gallery when it is ready,” he said.
Later at the event, winners of the Bugis script writing competition received their prizes.
