KUCHING: The Sarawak Malay Culture Foundation Charitable Trust (AKYBMS) is working to have several Sarawak Malay cultural heritages recognised and listed as a state heritage.
Deputy Premier and AKYBMS chairman Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the trust is also attempting to elevate the heritages to a world heritage status under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
“God willing, several works and handwritten Jawi-Malay manuscripts will be proposed for this purpose this year.
“These include the novels ‘Hikayat Panglima Nikosa’ (1876), ‘Syair Datu Marapati’ (1885), manuscripts from Lawas and Limbang, ‘Hikayat Datuk Marapati’ (1932), ‘Syair Tarsilah Cetera Datuk Gudam denganTemenggong Kadir’ (1942), and the manuscript of the history of Banting State and Banting State Constitution,” he said during the AKYBMS Samarindok Aidilfitri ceremony held at Pullman Hotel here, last night.
On another development, he said the Wisma Melayu Sarawak project, which is currently under construction at Diplomatic Road, Petra Jaya, is expected to be completed by this month.
“The project, in addition to AKYBMS office space, will also feature a Malay history and culture gallery, cafeteria, seminar rooms, and a hall with a capacity of 2,000 people, suitable for events such as weddings and conferences,” he said.
Awang Tengah said AKYBMS is set to participate in the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) taking place in June this year.
“A group called the Nusantara Malay Ensemble group will be formed and perform at the RWMF,” he said.
Among those present were Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Abdul Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.
