Abang Johari (front, fourth left) and Abdul Wahap (third left) stirring the giant pot of porridge whichwill be distributed to those at the event and the public. Also seen are Fadillah (second left) helping to put in the condiments and Dr Hazland (fifth right). — Photo by Muhd Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Kampung Bintangor Kecil in Satok here can expect more improvements to the village as part of the Malay Heritage Trail which will be gazetted for the preservation of the distinctive traditional characteristics of the Malay village community in the city.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg disclosed that works to develop the Malay Heritage Trail including improving infrastructures and facilities, costing RM30 million which has been approved, are ongoing.
Abang Johari said this when speaking at a programme to distribute ‘bubur lambuk’ and ‘bubur pedas’ jointly organised by the state government, local community and the private sector in conjunction with the holy month of Ramadan at the mini waterfront of Kampung Bintangor Kecil here yesterday.
“The Malay Heritage Trail is part of the approach to boost tourism industry in Kuching city. The trail is an area which will be gazetted to become heritage where basic infrastructures, facilities and other amenities will be upgraded and developed. Kampung Bintangor Kecil is part of it,” he said.
Roughly, the Malay Heritage Trail area spans from the Waterfront to the end of Kampung Patinggan entering Satok until Sarawak Museum, said Abang Johari.
With the discussion with AirAsia on the development of a low-cost carrier terminal with Kuching as the hub to connect low-cost airlines to destinations particularly major cities in neighbouring countries like China and Indonesia, the Chief Minister emphasised that the state government is keen to invest to develop the needed infrastructure.
“As such, we need to improve our tourism sector and the locals should participate actively in this plan which the government has implemented,” he added.
“For the trail, we are also looking at preserving the landscape and location of villages, to become a traditional village with its distinctive characteristics. “Improvements will be done not only for this mini waterfront but also the security and safety aspects as well which will be enhanced,” he said.
“This will spur more activities related to tourism. People should be more creative and come up with products that can become an attraction for a city. And food is one of them,” he pointed out.
Last year, Sarawak recorded 4.8 million tourist arrivals with an average expenditure of RM2,000 per person.
‘Bubur lambuk’ and particularly ‘bubur pedas’ which are traditional food that characterised the Malay community in Sarawak, can be turned into a tourism product for the Malay Heritage Trail, he added.
“The making of ‘bubur lambuk’ and ‘bubur pedas’ has always been connected to the spirit of neighbourliness. Moreover, ‘bubur pedas’ is distinctive to the Sarawak Malay community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kuching North City Commission Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai said the programme involved 40 villages and areas.
“Kampung Bintangor Kecil is the host of this annual programme this year. We hope to strengthen and rekindle ties among neighbours, residents and communities in the surrounding areas through this programme,” he said.
“It also served as a platform for the community to interact and discuss on a multitude of things among themselves,” he added.
Like last year’s goal, the programme will focus on areas in Pantai Damai, Demak Laut, Tupong, Samariang and Satok.
Abang Johari also presented contributions from Malaysia Building Society Berhad (MBSB) Bank to the needy.
Also present were Petra Jaya member of parliament Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Kampung Bintangor Kecil Neighbourliness Programme chairperson Ahmad Zainuddin Drahman and other community leaders.