LIMBANG: Sarawak’s multi-ethnic cultural heritage must be preserved in the AI and digital era to safeguard identity and enduring cultural values from being eroded by rapid modernisation.
Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said technological progress should not be used as an excuse to neglect efforts to safeguard customs, traditions and cultural heritage that form the identity of communities.
While acknowledging the benefits of AI in areas such as cultural documentation, education and promotion, he said society must ensure the authenticity of its cultural heritage is preserved for future generations.
“We cannot stop technological advancement or the use of AI, but there must be those who ensure that our original customs and cultural traditions continue to be protected. The authenticity of our cultural heritage must be preserved so that it is not lost amid the tide of modernisation,” he said at the Cultural Night held in conjunction with the Medamit Festival 2026 here recently.
Hasbi, who is also Limbang MP, said cultural festivals and programmes serve as important platforms for introducing and promoting community heritage to younger generations while ensuring the continuity of the diverse cultures of Sarawak’s multi-ethnic society.
He added that the active participation of young people in cultural performances throughout the Medamit Festival demonstrated that there is still a new generation willing to carry on the customs and cultural traditions of their respective communities.
“When programmes like this are organised, young people are given the opportunity to witness firsthand the uniqueness of our culture and arts. This is important so that they can understand and appreciate the heritage they have inherited,” he said.
He added that culture is not limited to traditional dances or performances alone, but also encompasses customs, rituals, language, arts, traditional practices and values that collectively shape the identity of a community.
In this regard, Hasbi urged all parties, including community leaders, cultural organisations and educational institutions, to continue playing an active role in preserving and documenting cultural heritage.
He said the preservation of cultural heritage is important not only in strengthening community identity, but also because it has the potential to become a tourism asset and an economic resource capable of contributing to the development of local communities.
