A new Arts, Culture, and Heritage Section has been established by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts in line with its vision to make Sarawak a premier tourism destination and a showcase of unique arts, culture, and heritage.
Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah disclosed that the section’s foremost tasks are to enhance cultural heritage and tourism sustainability by improving the preservation and management of heritage.
“Through the Conservation and Upgrading of Historical Fortress Programme under Sarawak Museum Department, five forts have been upgraded and conserved. The forts are Fort Alice (Sri Aman), Fort Lili (Betong), Fort Emma (Kanowit), Fort Brooke (Julau) and Fort Hose (Marudi).
“Whereas under the Heritage Protection Programme, a community engagement is currently being conducted in Tatau to salvage three kliriengs (burial poles) found in Penyarai river.
“My ministry is working closely with the Sarawak Museum Department, Council for Native Customs and Traditions, Sarawak Forestry Department, Tatau District Office, community leaders and members to expedite work in protecting and preserving the kliriengs,” he said during his ministerial winding up speech on today.
In line with the ministry’s target in the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, Abdul Karim stated that they have started to identify and document the important tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Sarawak.
“The Sarawak Museum Department has taken the initiative to conduct studies on the Air Raid Shelter of Canada Hill, Old Waterfall Dam, the Old Well at Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple and Makam Datuk Permaisuri in Miri.
“Similar efforts were also carried out for Fort Ranee in Saratok, Fort Tebakang in Serian, St Paul’s Church in Lingga, Pulau Dato Kong in Sebauh, Sacred Heart Church of Sungai Bawan in Kanowit, Batu Narit of Pa’ Bengar, Long Bunga and Pa’ Lungan in Bario, Batu Narit in Long Samadoh, Batu Angan in Ba’kelalan and the Beting Miro battlefield in Saribas,” he said.
At the same time, he said that the Heritage, Arts, and Culture Facilitation Fund or Dana Mudahcara Warisan, Seni dan Budaya was launched by the ministry on April 27 this year with the main objective to stimulate the recovery of the heritage, arts, and culture sector in Sarawak from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The fund also assists artists, artisans, associations, and organisations in organising programmes or activities that will help to promote more awareness on the importance of Sarawak’s heritage, arts, and culture.
“Besides that, the fund helps to enhance capacity building programmes related to the state’s unique, heritage, arts and culture,” he added.
