KUCHING: Fingers are crossed for Niah National Park on its journey to achieving recognition as a World Heritage Site, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said this when asked by reporters about the national park’s status after it was nominated as a heritage site on June 11. It was subsequently evaluated by Dr. Rima Hooja, an expert from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), on October 6.
“As it is, those from ICOMOS who came down to do the inspection, I believe they are satisfied with what they have seen and on our side also, what we have been trying to do is not just about tourism.
“The state is very passionate about conservation and preservation because we know that if we are to open up all those heritage places just purely to bring as many people as possible to visit them, that is not what I think the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) would like to see.
“We have to balance it up. Whatever things that we want to do, in doing the promotions, the infrastructure that we want to do down there, the gateway to it, will have to conform to certain requirements as set by the committee and UNESCO. And as much as possible we try to do something like that,” he said.
He added that there’s no need to be worried, and believed that the national park will be getting its heritage status stating that they’re actively designating numerous sites within the state as heritage sites.
“While we haven’t submitted all of them to Unesco, it’s evident that our state boasts an impressive array of heritage buildings and national parks.
“In fact, we hold the distinction of having the most national parks in Malaysia, and we even lay claim to the largest marine park.
“Many buildings are being officially designated as heritage structures, underscoring our state’s commitment to this cause. Our ultimate goal is to ensure the thorough preservation and conservation of all these sites for the benefit of future generations,” he added.
In response to inquiries about any recent park developments, he indicated that direct interaction with him did not occur. However, he was informed by state government officials, with whom the evaluators engaged, that the assessment report will go through two additional stages of review.
He said the first stage will take place in November, and the other one is likely to occur early next year before they make a decision regarding the status of the park.
