KUCHING: Sarawak has a unique cultural heritage due to the existence of each of its multi ethnicities’ heritage and culture in the state.
In pointing this out, political secretary to the Premier Abdul Samat Gany said with the variety of cultural heritage that Sarawak has, tangible or intangible, it needs to be protected in a more structured and well-organised way.
“Looking at its importance, the Sarawak government took a big step in its effort to protect the state’s cultural heritage for it to be legally recognised.
“For that reason, the state government has approved the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance to protect, preserve and conserve our cultural heritage.
“This new cultural heritage law has a wider scope and provides broader guidelines to protect, preserve and conserve everything related to Sarawak’s cultural heritage,” he said
He said this when attending the Warisan Budaya Bangsa dinner to represent Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof at Kampung Sungai Maong Multipurpose Hall here on Saturday night.
Following this, he noted that the said Ordinance has also approved the establishment of Sarawak Heritage Council to be an advisory body to the state government on matters related to heritage.
“In the context of Sarawak being active in developing and organising development programmes, there must also be a balance in the development of Sarawak’s economy and preserving Sarawak’s historical structure.
“That is why such a Council was established,” he said.
Taking Kuching as an example, he stated that the city has many valuable cultural heritage landmarks which can be used as a tourism spot and develop Sarawak economically.
“We have various cultural heritage that can be seen not only by our fellow Malaysians but also by foreigners.
“That is why, I see that our cultural assets not only be able to highlight our unity and diversity but also be made into tourism spots,” he said.
