PADAWAN: The local community in Puncak Borneo have been urged to play their role in promoting the tourism products of Sarawak.
Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Malaysia Datuk Willie Mongin said Sarawak has so many things to offer, however, it was sad that locals were actually feeling ‘negative’ about the local products.
“I have to agree (and realise) that some of us are very negative about our own tourism products. Sometimes, we not only want to talk about the good things of the local products but even condemn them.
“How can we help our state if we ourselves don’t have faith in it? I hope from now onwards, we can be the spokesmen to promote the tourism products not only domestically, across the country and internationally,” he said.
Willie, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Puncak Borneo was speaking at the opening of the Bidayuh Traditional Dance Competition held in conjunction with the Bidayuh Mystique Festival 2022 (BMF 2022) at St Paul Bunuk Parish Hall here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was present as the guest of honour to officiate the event.
He reminded the local community to promote their own tourism-related products as an attraction as this would indirectly benefit the state and its people.
“Can you imagine if we keep talking bad about our tourism product? The effect could be very devastating in the long term.
“When we talk negatively about our tourism product, it is going to kill the industry, affecting those in the tourism business,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, on the traditional dance competition, Willie said such an event or performance has always played an integral part in the Bidayuh culture and heritage.
“Sadly, of late, we have noticed many of these traditional dances have somehow drifted into oblivion due to mainly perhaps the lack of interest, especially among members of the younger generation to carry on with the tradition.”
“It would be a waste if there are no serious and committed efforts being taken to preserve our cultural heritage and it might even have been forgotten by the future generation,” he said.
Willie added that everyone should join hands in efforts to preserve and maintain Bidayuh’s unique culture and tradition.
