By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Sept 15: Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) plans to include longhouse tours and related products as part of its Muslim-friendly tourism products in Sarawak.
Its minister Dato Sri Nancy Shukri said Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), which is an agency under Motac, is looking into this aspect although the product types have yet to be identified.
“They are looking into the matter because there are tourists that also want to know about the cultures, custom, and many others at the longhouses. This is in their pipeline,” she told a press conference after attending the Islamic Tourism Entrepreneurship and Leadership Seminad (ITELS) at a local hotel today.
Nancy pointed out that there are various types of longhouse products that can be promoted, such as ‘Kuih Jala’ making, which is edible for both Muslims and non-Muslims, including the festivals.
She said the matter will take some time to be arranged as it requires the approval from the respective ‘Tuai Rumahs’ (longhouse headmen) and the local community.
“The sensitivity of the matter has to be considered too because the folks living in the longhouses are mostly non-Muslim.
“If it happen, I think that they (longhouses) will be swarmed with tourists. We hope that can happen,” she added. — DayakDaily
