Abang Johari and Juma’ani (third right) with (from right) Ganesh, Sabariah, Dayang Madinah, Kadim, Abdul Samat and Ibrahim showing the Kampung Heritage Products during a group photo session. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is ready to give its full support in the efforts to develop the state’s heritage products.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is in view that Sarawak has many potential heritage products that can be marketed.
Among the products are the ‘acar limau’ which is usually enjoyed during weddings as well as traditional cakes such as ‘kuih hati pari’, ‘kuih cincin’ and many more.
“We must introduce heritage products from the kampung by marketing them in a new way.
“If this can be developed and has high value then it will be able to be marketed abroad,” he said when launching the Kampung Heritage Products at Mydin Petra Jaya here yesterday.
Abang Johari added efforts to develop the state’s heritage products will indirectly help generate additional income for villagers.
He thus praised the Old Kuching Smart Heritage initiatives, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Biro Ekonomi Satok and Mydin for their efforts in developing Sarawak’s heritage products.
“With the cooperation of all parties involved, including Mydin, we hope the developed heritage products will be expanded to Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
Meanwhile, event organising chairman Abdul Samat Gani said the event served as an opportunity for heritage product manufacturers in Sarawak to market their products under the Old Kuching Kampung Heritage brand.
He explained that for the initial phase, 12 products from nine entrepreneurs will be marketed at Mydin – bumbu pedas, kacang bersalut (coated nuts), acar limau, kuih sepit asli, kuih sepit with peanut filling, kuih sepit with chocolate filling, hati pari cake, fruitcake, sambal tumis ikan bilis, pitis buah, kuih cincin and rempah masak hitam.
He assured that other products will also be available at Mydin’s hypermarket for the next phase.
“With this, we hope our heritage products will grow and be able to compete with other products in the market,” he remarked.
Also present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang,
Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit, Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, PBB Women vice chief Datuk Dayang Madinah Tun Openg, PBB deputy secretary-general Ibrahim Baki and Mydin project manager Ganesh Chinniah.