RM10m for heritage, arts, culture in S’wak

The Sarawak government has allocated RM10 million for the Sarawak Heritage, Arts and Culture Facilitation Fund this year, and applications can be made from today until Oct 28.

Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the activities and programmes sponsored by the fund should benefit and stimulate recovery of the heritage, arts and culture sector in Sarawak from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“All proposed programmes and activities must meet the set conditions, although those organised in Malaysia with the support of the government and held in Sarawak would be given priority,” Abdul Karim said during a press conference at Bangunan Baitulmakmur II, Petra Jaya here yesterday.

He said, in addition, programmes and activities must be held physically and face-toface or in a hybrid manner by local and international agencies and institutions, and contribute to the preservation and sustainability of Sarawak’s heritage, arts and culture sector.

He said priority will be given to the people of Sarawak, and it is open to individual art activists, associations, organisations, non-governmental organisations and non-profit organisations in the state.

“All the proposed activities must be implemented in 2022. Applications must be submitted no later than 60 days or two months before the date of implementation of the programme or activity.”

Abdul Karim said there is no limit to the amount of funding applied for, but the final sum to be approved will be determined by the fund committee.

The application form and guidelines can be downloaded from the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Ministry’s official website at mtcp.sarawak.gov.my.