By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 8: Sarawak is confident that it will be able to get UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition for Niah National Park, which will be decided in July this year.
Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the application results will be announced when the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee meet in India in July.
“In July, the body which is tasked to make the final decision on the inscription of World Heritage Site will meet in India. They will make the announcement at that time.
“From the feedback of the team that came to evaluate the Niah Caves, we are quite confident that we will be getting the recognition.
“I hope it’s not otherwise or else, I would be very disappointed,” he said during a press conference held at Media Room of Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Complex here today.
He further said that if Niah National Park is successfully inducted as a World Heritage Site, it will be the second UNESCO recognition for Sarawak after Gunung Mulu National Park in 2000.
“If we get another recognition, Miri will be very lucky and fortunate because once the recognition is given, the site will be known all over the world and this will push up our tourism industry. There are tourists who travel all around the world just to see the world heritage sites.”
The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex, Sarawak, Malaysia has been nominated for Unesco’s 2024 World Heritage Site under the mixed category for natural and cultural heritage.
The International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to the Unesco, conducted an evaluation mission on Niah National Park, from Sept 29 to Oct 4, 2023. — DayakDaily
