By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 6: Three Sarawak heritage figures – Haji Razali Haji Yu, Salbiah Muhi and Bangie anak Embol, have been recognised as Living National Heritage for their contributions to preserving the state’s traditional arts and craftsmanship, while Mi Kolok has also been gazetted as a National Heritage.
Razali was recognised for his contributions to enlivening the Sarawak Malay Gendang Performing Arts, Salbiah for her advocacy and efforts to preserve Keringkam Embroidery, and Bangie for her role in safeguarding the traditional art of Pua Weaving.
The recognitions were announced at the 6th National Heritage Declaration Ceremony 2026 held on Nov 5, where Mi Kolok was among 39 heritage items declared National Heritage.
Meanwhile, another 30 heritage items are set to undergo the gazettement process. These include the Hari Gawai Festival, Adat Berkadim and Pending Melayu. The list also features several traditional foods, including Kacang Pool, Nasi Kandar, Apam Johol, Kuih Chang, Char Kue Kak and Pasembur.
Other cultural heritage items include Sarawak’s Tajau (earthenware jar) and the Legend of Puteri Santubong, alongside the Malaysian Breakfast Culture, Tadau Kaamatan, Baba Nyonya Wedding Customs, Tahnik, Copper Craftsmanship, Terompah (wooden clogs), Sompoton, Kain Punca Potong, Kain Limar Tenggarung, Baju Sikap, Hikayat Puteri Saadong, Legend of Mahsuri and Tuhfat Al-Nafis.
Sarawak Malay Gendang Performing Arts consists of three main elements in its musical tradition: drumming (memukul gendang), traditional dance movements (bertandak), and bermukun, which refers to the art of exchanging poetical verses (pantun).
Sarawak Keringkam Embroidery is a traditional hand-embroidery craft using gold- and silver-coated metal ribbon threads embroidered onto fabric. Meanwhile, Pua Weaving is an ancestral tie-dye weaving art of the Iban community in Sarawak that reflects their identity and steadfast commitment to their customs and traditional way of life.
According to a press statement, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Chiew Choon Man said the declaration of National Heritage was an important legal mandate enshrined under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645).
He explained that under the Act, the Heritage Commissioner is responsible for the screening, research and technical evaluation of heritage items, while the final authority to declare an item as National Heritage rests with the Minister.
“This mandate carries significant weight. This declaration is not merely assigning a name or title, but represents the highest recognition from the Federal Government.
“Once a site, building, object, or intangible heritage is declared a National Heritage item, it gains legal protection, priority in preservation efforts, and national conservation support,” he said.
“MOTAC will continue to support knowledge- and skill-sharing initiatives led by heritage practitioners so they can be passed down to the younger generation,” he added. – DayakDaily
