BAU: A two-day Bung Bratak Festival was put together by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in an effort to boost the tourism industry here.
Its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the festival, which began on Saturday, is a collaboration between the ministry, its Sarawak Office and the Bau District Office.
He said this is an initiative to promote domestic and international tourism ahead of the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026.
In terms of tourist arrivals, Tiong said the Bung Bratak Heritage Centre has welcomed 3,334 domestic visitors and 90 foreign visitors from January to June this year.
In the same period, he said the heritage centre also saw a progressive increase in revenue.
“From January to June, the income from domestic and foreign visitors amounted to RM35,455, obtained through entrance fees and accommodation at the Bung Bratak Heritage Centre.
“Furthermore, the craft scene in Bau, known for its wood, bamboo, rattan, beadwork and ‘daun serdang’ products, generated over RM500,000 in income in 2022, involving 24 local entrepreneurs in the industry.
“Therefore, the Program Merakyatkan Seni (PMS) aims to establish Bung Bratak as a tourism product by introducing the Bidayuh’s community art and culture as well as nearby villages,” he said at the Bung Bratak Festival here, Sunday (Sept 3).
His speech was read by ministry secretary general Datuk Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman.
Tiong added that the ministry will continue to focus on areas and places with high tourism value and attractions to promote them as new cultural tourism products.
“This is evident as the Bung Bratak Heritage Centre received an allocation of RM 8million under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) for its construction, benefiting the local community and Sarawak as a whole.
“I believe the excellence and preservation of local culture are key factors in uplifting the cultural tourism sector, and I hope the Bung Bratak Festival can have a positive impact on local tourism, culture and the economy.”
Touching on the Arts Financial Incentive, Tiong said the ministry,, through the National Department for Culture and Arts, has approved funding for six cultural and arts associations in Sarawak, involving a total allocation of RM 47,250.00 for 2023.
“The ministry has also taken initiatives under the Tourism Recovery Plan, specifically through the Cultural Sector Support Grant (GSSK) for players in the cultural and arts industry.
“A total of 21 associations in Sarawak have received this grant, with a total allocation of RM 1,480,000,” he said.
Also present were Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts permanent secretary Datuk Sherinna Hussaini, Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) deputy president Rayan Narong and Bau District officer Constantine Gerald David Jonas.
