Abdul Karim (centre) witnesses the exchange of MoU documents between Khairuddin (second left) and Wong (second right). Also witnessing are Sabariah (right) and Haris Fadzilah. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Tourists here can expect to enjoy the city’s tourist bus service next year.
This was disclosed by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who said the transportation provided specifically for tourists would be free.
“It should be (starting) next year and the bus would be using hydrogen fuel.
“This was relayed to me by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he told reporters after representing the chief minister at the opening ceremony of the International Heritage and Cultural Conservation Conference 2018 (InHERIT) in a hotel here yesterday.
Abdul Karim said the initiative by the Sarawak government would kick off with one hydrogen fuel-cell bus.
“Kuching is a small city – if there are many tourist buses available, but they are always empty, then it’s no point.”
When asked whether the public would be able to board this tourist bus, the minister said the mechanism for this had yet to be decided.
“For tourists, be they domestic or international (visitors), they can use the bus even if they are from Sibu – for example. But if we open this for the public to just go around the city, that I’m not sure,” he remarked.
Earlier, Abdul Karim witnessed the exchange of memorandum of understanding (MoU) papers between University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) and MAEK Consulting Pvt Ltd, with the university represented by its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abdul Hamid, while representing MAEK Consulting was its director Wong Chung Wan.
The MoU is for collaboration on establishing a research centre focusing on Borneo regionalism, conservation and forensic technology.
Meanwhile Khairuddin, in his speech, said InHERIT focuses on all aspects in relation to heritage and cultural conservation towards enhancing UCTS’ research niche in Borneo regionalism, conservation and forensic technology, as well as putting the university in the forefront of embracing ‘trans-disciplinary’ and promoting the integration of science and technology with arts through the promotion and utilisation of digital and scientific technology in the conservation and preservation of tangible cultures such as heritage buildings, monuments, artefacts, historical sites and intangible cultures.
“The conference’s key objective is to provide an avenue for academic discourses, sharing of experiences, promoting best practices and enhancing networking in cultural heritage conservation.”
Organised by the Sarawak government and UCTS, the three-day event features presenters from African, European, Australian and Asian regions who will be presenting across five broad trans-disciplinary tracks for parallel sessions encompassing topics that include history and fine arts, science and technology, built environment, economic development, tourism and education, as well as culture and arts.
Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit and InHERIT chairman Assoc Prof Haris Fadzilah Abdul Rahman were also present at the press conference yesterday.