Abang Johari (centre), flanked by his wife Datin Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang and Fadillah, having a light moment with other guests after the cake-cutting ceremony. Sharifah Hasidah is at second left.
KUCHING: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry will continue its agenda of promoting the state’s arts and heritage abroad through Sarawak Arts Council (SAC).
According to minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, there is still a lot that needs to be done in terms of the development and introduction of Sarawak’s arts and heritage to other countries, particularly in Asean.
“We have established SAC to develop existing arts and heritage that we have in the state. For instance, we hope to bring the Sarawak Symphonic Orchestra to perform in other Asean countries. We can exchange ideas with (those in) the countries that we visit,” he said at a ‘Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri’ gathering hosted by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Samariang at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here on Friday night.
Abang Johari also pointed out that his ministry intended to develop performing arts such as theatres and plays through Sekolah Seni Kuching, adding that it would be a way to highlight the state’s multiracial society.
On a separate note, the minister said the government had approved a grant under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) for the setup of ‘pondok polis’ (police kiosks) in Samariang.
“These (kiosks) will be the control centres for the police to monitor and curb criminal activities in and around Samariang. Land has been identified for the project and the police have agreed to place their personnel at these kiosks,” said Abang Johari, who is also Housing and Urbanisation Minister.
The Aidilfitri gathering was also attended by Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Assistant Minister for Early Childhood Education and Family Development Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and the state chairman of Association of Malay Importers and Traders of Motor Vehicles Malaysia (Pekema) Dato Sri Abang Khalid Abang Marzuki.