By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 31: The Sarawak government’s strong support for its handicraft industry should serve as a model for other states in Malaysia, especially in shaping cultural identity and driving the creative economy, said Pahang Museum director Dato Ahmad Farid Abdul Jalal.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, Ahmad Farid said Sarawak’s commitment to promoting local crafts has made the industry a powerful symbol of the State’s identity, adding that such government backing is “extraordinary” and worthy of emulation.
“I believe other states in Peninsular Malaysia should follow Sarawak’s example by giving similar priority to crafts and elevating them as a cultural emblem of each state,” he told reporters following a courtesy visit to Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
Ahmad Farid led the Pahang Museum delegation, which included museum curator Hayati Adnan and consultant Norzaireen Shamsul Kamar.
Also present were Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Permanent Secretary Datu Sherrini Hussaini and Sarawak Craft Council chief executive officer Suriya Charles Buas.
He explained that the visit aimed to strengthen collaboration with Sarawak, particularly in conjunction with the upcoming Pahang Heritage Festival, set to take place in Pekan, Pahang, from Aug 31 to Sept 7.
“Essentially, the Sarawak Premier welcomed the invitation to participate in the festival. God willing, we will have a follow-up discussion tomorrow with the relevant agencies in Sarawak,” he said.
Ahmad Farid also expressed interest in establishing long-term partnerships with the Sarawak Museum and other local institutions, especially in areas such as exhibition exchanges and knowledge-sharing.
To this end, he revealed that the Sarawak Museum has proposed hosting a conservation workshop during the heritage festival, and extended an invitation to other state museums across Malaysia to take part alongside Sarawak.
“We hope to ensure the continuity and elevation of such collaborative efforts across the museum and cultural sectors,” he added. — DayakDaily
