DEPUTY Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan encouraged Krokop to be designated as a heritage site.
At the moment, he said the Sarawak Museum Department has no plan to designate any area as a heritage zone along racial lines.
However, he said a proposal can be submitted to the department to consider Krokop as a heritage site.
“One of the procedures to be taken is to prepare a proposal on the intention to register building(s), monument(s), or sites to be submitted to the Sarawak Museum Department.
“(After that), further study will be conducted by the Sarawak Museum Department to evaluate its historical or heritage significance.
“A report will be prepared for the director’s approval. If required, the proposal will be referred to the Sarawak Heritage Council,” he said at the august House today.
He said this in reply to Adam Yii Siew Sang (GPS-Pujut) during the question-and-answer session.
According to Yii, Krokop is one of the earliest settlements established by the Chinese community in Miri.
As such, Snowdan said that under Section 32(1) of the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 2019, the Director is mandated to establish and maintain the Sarawak Heritage Register.
This register, he said, encompasses various categories of cultural, architectural, and historical significance within Sarawak.
“It includes buildings predating 1940 that hold historical significance or display exceptional architectural, artistic, or cultural value.
“Additionally, structures closely associated with significant individuals or events in Sarawak’s history are included.
“Furthermore, the register encompasses underwater heritage objects or sites, heritage buildings or sites, historical sites with natural or cultural importance, and traditional knowledge or expressions deemed worthy of preservation by the Director,” he added.
