PADAWAN: The Sarawak government has allocated RM6.5 million through the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) to upgrade Kampung Annah Rais as a Bidayuh Cultural Heritage Village.
The initiative, aimed at strengthening community-based tourism in rural areas, was announced by Deputy Minister of Transport (Aviation and Roads) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil during the launch of the PETRONAS Memacu Kehidupan Gawai 2025 programme held in the village on Saturday.
Dr Jerip, who is also Mambong assemblyman, said the initiative is part of the state’s integrated rural development agenda, involving the tourism, cultural and agricultural sectors.
“Kampung Annah Rais holds unique historical and cultural significance for the Bidayuh community.
“Upgrading its tourism facilities will not only bring economic benefits to locals but also showcase our cultural heritage to the outside world,” he said.
The RM6.5-million allocation will focus on enhancing basic tourism infrastructure, including visitor walkways, handicraft spaces, a cultural information centre, and community training in tourism management.
Situated some 48 kilometres from Kuching, the village is renowned for its traditional Bidayuh longhouse, natural hot springs, and living cultural traditions still practised by its residents.
Meanwhile, 200 underprivileged families from the Padawan Sub-District received food baskets in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak 2025 celebration, as part of a welfare initiative by Yayasan PETRONAS in collaboration with the Kuching Resident’s Office and Padawan Sub-District Office.
According to PETRONAS Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu, a total of 585 families across the state are benefitting from the programme this year.
