Abang Johari (third right) launches the Sarawak Arts Congress 2018, witnessed by (from left) Adi, Misnu, Dr Penguang, Abdul Adzis, Abdul Karim, and Hazami. — Photos by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The government intends to establish an arts and culture centre to emphasise the state’s rich heritage as it heads towards a digital economy.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said if done right, the centre can increase the state’s income which will then be channelled back into creating a vibrant local arts and culture scene.
He said it is crucial for everyone to have a meeting point to foster harmony between ethnic groups and build Sarawak’s economy from the aspect of arts and culture.
“My government will focus on both aspects because if we have money but no culture, it doesn’t show our prosperity. And if we have a lot of culture and no money, we cannot develop it further,” he said.
Speaking while officiating at the Sarawak Art Congress 2018 at Pullman Hotel here yesterday, he added that the world is suffering from a lack of mutual understanding, but that Sarawak is capable of showing how it is done.
The two-day congress was organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak together with the Sarawak Arts Council, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), theatre clubs and ethnic associations in the state.
DBP director-general Datuk Abdul Adzis Abas, in his speech, said the congress aimed to encourage research and discussion on Sarawak arts, which covers various disciplines.
Abang Johari (second left) holds the director’s clapper board while visiting booths at the Sarawak Arts Congress 2018.
“Apart from uplifting the national language and empowering Sarawakian writers, we at DBP also place emphasis on culture and arts that shape Malaysian society.
“This is why we organise various theatre performances, poetry reading and so on, in addition to publishing the text for reference of the Malaysian public,” he said.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Sasterawan Negeri Sarawak and DBP management board member Datu Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah, DBP state director Dr Hazami Jahari, and DBP management board member Datu Misnu Taha were among those present.