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by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Aug 11: Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan has announced that his ministry will be organising the Borneo Crafts Roadshow in Sabah and Sarawak this October.
Khairul said the ministry is taking the initiative to promote Borneo crafts because it is not well known outside the two regions.
“The ministry not only endeavours to promote tourism but also our local arts and culture, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.”
He said due to the geographical vastness and the unique crafts of the two regions, different approaches would be taken during the roadshow.
“The ministry is certain that the roadshow will encourage or even empower our local entrepreneurs and craft industry players to get creative.
“With the roadshow, we will be able to inform the community out there about the aesthetics and unique craft of Borneo,” he told reporters at a press conference during the launching of Pesta Sematan 2023 today.
He added that the Malaysia Craft Council had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a working collaboration with pewter manufacturer and retailer Royal Selangor.
“This is for us to know what we are lacking so that we can learn and gain more knowledge from Royal Selangor, which is well known throughout the world.
“It is time we assist the struggle of our entrepreneurs in the craft industry.”
Khairul explained that the ministry will bring on well-known personalities to create footage of local crafts to market them to a wider audience.
“The most important thing is that we need to synchronise our entrepreneurs in the craft industry and the players. We cannot hold the view that our local craft industry is unpopular.
“When we can synchronise the efforts of our entrepreneurs, we can intensify marketing, that is why the ministry takes this effort as a challenge.
Tanjung Datu assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan, Kuching Resident Norleha SharifF, Lundu District Officer and Festival Chairman Gustian Durani were also present. — DayakDaily
