By Nur Ashikin Louis and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, July 23: The Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) has been tasked to create a new heritage trail connecting historical venues in Sibu.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the State government had proposed a review of Sibu’s development, including preserving its cultural heritage and background.
“I believe that the MTCP Minister (Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah) and his (ministry) will create a heritage trail for Sibu where historical venues will be reviewed and they will be connected with other hubs.
“From that perspective, Sibu has several historical places such as Sibu Town Square, Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum, and recreational places within Bukit Lima which can be part of the trail that can attract tourists to Sibu,” he said when officiating at the closing ceremony of Borneo Cultural Festival 2022 held at Dataran Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang in Sibu earlier tonight.
Abang Johari also said that the tourism input is part of the State government’s development masterplan for Sibu which is why he had instructed Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian to work with MTCP on the matter.
He also said the urban renewal process for Sibu requires the government to engage with international consultants such as Australia and Singapore and places where Sibu’s features can be compared.
“Sibu is prone to flooding, and we want to have a new approach to control flooding thus, there is a possibility that to manage the water, we have to look at the model of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
“Amsterdam is below the sea but if you compare Amsterdam with Sibu, Sibu is below the river. So, therefore, a study has to be done between Amsterdam and Sibu,” he added.
Abang Johari also urged tourism industry players to use the latest technologies in digital promotion, such as interactive technology between the people, tourists, and the government, to boost the tourism sector’s development further.
Amongst those present were the Sarawak Premier’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar; as well as King of Puro Mangkunegaran Sukarta, Indonesia, Gusti Pangeran Haryo (GPH) Bhre Cakrahutomo Wira Sudjiwo. — DayakDaily
