KUCHING: The Melanau’s old burial poles (Jerunai) site have great potential to be listed under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site, said Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Found mostly in the interior coastal areas of Mukah and Dalat, the centuries old Jerunai are prominent among the Melanau aristocrats.
“Jerunai can be found mainly in Mukah. This was a burial place for the Melanau aristocrats,” he said when during a media visit to ‘Sumpahan Jerunai’ movie filming site at Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) Orchid Park in Semariang yesterday.
Abdul Karim, who was very keen to see the filming set, expressed hope that the movie about Melanau culture could be a box office hit.
Produced by One Production company, the movie is part of Sarawak government’s promotion efforts through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports.