KUCHING: The Sarawak Government intends to further utilise augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology to promote the state’s rich heritage products.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this will attract more visitors to the state.
“The state’s rich heritage products are also actively promoted under the Old Kuching Smart Heritage’s (OKSHE) initiatives and through digital platforms.
“Furthermore, now that Kuching is a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy and we have our heritage foods, it will be much easier for us to promote Kuching,” he said.
He said this during OKSHE appreciation ceremony at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Friday evening (Jan 28).
Apart from that, he said Kuching city has a deep history which witnessed development before and after the Brooke era and during the Japanese occupation.
“Which is why, the younger generations must defend the state’s rich culture and heritage that is present in Kuching city,” he said.
As such, he said that when he first became the chief minister he had given support to transform the areas concerned while preserving the historical value of the area.
“First, we set up OKESHE, under Deputy State Secretary (Performance and Service Delivery Transformation) Datuk Dr Sabariah Putit, which we need to preserve heritage products while we shift towards the digital economy.
“That is while we upgrade the ‘kampung nombor’ (numbered village) which has its own history and at the same time preserve the area,” he said.
He added that the state has allocated a huge fund to develop the Kuching Waterfront area right up to Kampung No 3 including Satok without damaging the original structure.
“At the same time, the waterfront from Sungai Bedil to Kampung Tupong will be connected and illuminated and will beautify the area.
“Just like in Melaka, they have a beautiful waterfront with cruises passing through. So, we also want to make our Sarawak River more beautiful than in Melaka,” he said.
The chief minister said that Satok and its surrounding area that have heritage sites will be preserved and upgraded from time to time so that the people are able to appreciate and remember the history of such sites.
