PUSA: Cultural heritage and creative arts such as the Malay ‘gendang’ must continue to be preserved as a community identity.
Beting Maro state assemblyman Datuk Razaili Gapor said that safeguarding cultural heritage is a shared responsibility and should go hand-in-hand with efforts to develop the local community.
“Cultural heritage and creative arts such as the Malay ‘gendang’ are part of our identity that must be protected and preserved so they are not eroded by time.
“Beting Maro is rich in culture and customs, a heritage that must be maintained,” he said when speaking at a ‘bertandak’ competition event and the presentation of 40 food baskets to the ‘asnaf’ community at Kampung Tambak recently.
Razaili added that Kampung Tambak has strong potential to be developed through the nipah- or apong-based industry, including plans to build a processing plant to expand production.
According to him, nipah- or apong-based products are high-value commodities capable of generating income and meeting both local and external market demand.
He said efforts are also being planned to acquire modern technology to speed up production processes and improve the quality of nipah or apong-based products.
In this regard, he called on all associations and cooperatives in Kampung Tambak to remain active and work together in managing and coordinating the community’s economic activities.
On development, Razaili said various projects implemented by the Sarawak Government have benefited residents of Beting Maro, including the construction of the Batang Saribas 1 Bridge, which shortens travel time and facilitates daily activities.
He also stressed the importance of community unity, urging the Kampung Tambak Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) to plan programmes that strengthen social cohesion among residents.
“We must ensure that in the years ahead, we progress further and enjoy a better quality of life.
“With the development taking place, it has become much easier for us to carry out our daily activities. The Batang Saribas 1 Bridge is now fully functional, proving that our travel time is much shorter than before,” he said.
