KUCHING: Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is open to forming a special body to address concerns about Mulu National Park and the Niah National Park Cave Complex, following their recognition as Unesco heritage sites, making Sarawak the only Malaysian state with two such sites.
Abdul Karim, the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, mentioned this in response to questions about the parks’ status.
“There is currently no concrete information about this, but if necessary, we will consider establishing a special body,” he told reporters at the Old Court House on Oct 1 during the commencement of the ‘What About Kuching (WAK) 2024 Festival.’
Abdul Karim also clarified that, for the time being, his ministry and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) are responsible for overseeing the two heritage sites.
Meanwhile, WAK 2024 Festival manager Brendan Chin announced that more than 60 unique events, including 233 daily programmes covering diverse art disciplines, will take place across 38 different venues in Kuching.
“We are very excited to present Call of the Tribes as the opening highlight of the WAK Festival 2024, with the theme ‘By the Community, For the Community,'” he said.
“The event featured four captivating performances, each showcasing the cultural and creative diversity of Sarawak’s multi-ethnic society. The audience enjoyed performances such as the Chinese Dragon Dance by the Liang Sheng Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe, Iban Dance by Kejiranan Mesa Kampung No. 3 & No. 4, Mukun Melayu by Kejiranan Mesa Kampung Santubong, and the Bidayuh Pisien by the Cultural Group of Kampung Gumbang Bau.”
