by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Nov 24: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the state must have a database of talented local artisans ready so that the state government can help them to go further in their fields of expertise.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Rahman Karim Rahman Hamzah said with the database, the state government can identify these talented artisans so that the state government can help these people to go further.
“The state government will always help and support these young people or artisans who are good in arts, local beverages like rice wine or tuak, textiles, beads, and food to promote our culture locally or internationally.
“We must not leave them aside as (the people in) this ‘melting pot’ of talents that we have here can be somebody who will be well known in the future and be our ambassador to promote our arts and cultures through many fields,” he said.
“To ensure that they can excel, these young artisans must have a solid platform to help them to kick-start their raw talent and their field of expertise.”
Abdul Karim said this after he officiated at the closing of the Tenun Week 2019 – Cultures Defined event held from Nov 19 to 24 at The Hills shopping mall here today.
He lauded the efforts of Tenun director, Fiona Marcus Raja and her team who had work so hard to make the event a success and propel young artisans further.
He hoped that movements like Tenun will continue to help young people expand their talents and hard work, and he believed that their efforts will be rewarded.
“I can assure you and other NGOs in the state that my ministry and especially the Sarawak government will always support this kind of event that provides a good platform and to build a better life for our young people,” he said.
Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development’s Commercialisation and Industrial Training section head Dr Gluma Saban and Tenun director Fiona were among those present. — DayakDaily
