Wednesday May 19, 2010

In search of heritage Sarawak seeks Unesco status for Kuching, Sibu

SARAWAK is planning to seek Unesco heritage status for Kuching and Miri.

Assistant Tourism Minister Mong Dagang told the State Legislative Assembly that a team would be sent to Malacca and Penang soon to meet the relevant authorities to get a better understanding of the criteria for the final assessment as required under the Unesco Heritage Convention.

“The ministry has also met and discussed with the National Heritage Commission early this year to assist in the technicalities,” he said in Kuching yesterday in reply to Aidan Wing (BN-Lambir) during question time.

Mong said that in general, Kuching and Miri had the ingredients to be listed as heritage cities but the process was very tedious and lengthy.

He said several initiatives had been held since last year, including a public forum jointly organised by the Sarawak Tourism Federation and Sarawak Heritage Society, to raise public awareness on heritage matters. – Bernama