By Amanda L.
KUCHING, Oct 24: Sarawak ministers can no longer approve new grants while the State government operates in a caretaker capacity, says Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
However, he said the ministry was open to exploring funding for research into the Zhao An community’s migration history and heritage to preserve its historical background for future generations.
According to him, the research could be carried out in collaboration with universities and cultural organisations, with a focus on documenting the experiences of early migrants from China and the hardships they endured when settling in Sarawak more than a century ago.
“When you come to a new place, a far away land, a new community to establish families, and this is the kind of difficulties when your grand-grand generation has to adjust and go through,” he said.
He said this at the opening of the Zhao An Folk Culture Seminar, held in conjunction with the Sarawak Zhao An Association’s 90th anniversary celebration at Imperial Hotel Kuching today
Abdul Karim said the early migrants might have faced difficult living conditions in China before seeking better opportunities elsewhere, with some enduring perilous journeys across the South China Sea.
“Some might not have survived the crossing, which was undertaken in small traditional vessels and exposed travellers to rough seas and pirates.
“Conducting research and turning it into books and other documents requires funding,” he said, adding that the ministry could look into providing assistance through collaboration with universities and relevant cultural organisations.
He also urged the Zhao An community’s younger generation to learn from their elders, document their stories and traditions, and use modern technology to share their heritage with wider audiences.
The minister said the Cabinet remained in place but was operating under caretaker limitations, which prevented ministers from approving new grants until after the election.
“The Cabinet is still there, but then we are just a caretaker government. There are lots of things that we cannot do or approve. Ministers can’t give more money anymore on new grants until the election,” he explained. — DayakDaily
