Diversity no barrier to social, political stability – Abg Johari

KUCHING: Sarawak may be a land with diverse ethnic composition but its people have always strived to ensure that their differences do not stand in the way of social and political stability.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the people of Sarawak have learned to live in peace and harmony as they cooperate and work together.

“We have many small communities of at least 27 different indigenous ethnic groups spread throughout Sarawak, along the coast and rivers and towards the interior.

“We learn to survive by adapting to or natural environment which eventually defines each of our unique cultures,” he said.

His text-of-speech was read by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the opening ceremony of the International Heritage and Cultural Conservation Conference 2018 (InHERIT) here yesterday.

In view of this, Abang Johari stressed that the state's unique culture and arts ought to be preserved at all times.

“Digitisation can be used to preserve, showcase and promote our heritage sites which can attract tourists to experience our cultures and traditions.”

He noted that the Sarawak government is also taking an approach to highlight strategic areas as places of interest for tourists.

One such example is the upcoming new waterfront from Kampung Tanjung to Kampung Sungai Bedil, where the future tourist attraction will blend in with nearby villages to enable visitors to witness the lifestyle of the local community.