KUCHING: The success of Santubong’s Day 2023 has sparked calls for similar programmes in other villages with tourism potential to highlight each village’s unique culture and arts, attracting both domestic and international tourists.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri emphasised the importance of not only preserving cultural heritage but also recognising its potential as a tourism product.
“Kampung Santubong is a historic place, rich in cultural and artistic elements, which is an early historical site in the Borneo Islands.
“Not only that, the surrounding areas also houses heritage sites and historical relics in Bukit Maras and Bongkissam, as well as an archaeological park which can encourage tourism activities in the area.
“Furthermore, we have received feedback from foreigners who praised the cleanliness of homestays in the area. We must embrace these and continue to develop the tourism industry in the area through such programmes.”
She made these remarks during the officiation ceremony of Santubong’s Day 2023 at Kampung Santubong Waterfront here on Friday (October 6)
Nancy, who is also the Santubong MP, highlighted the significant community involvement in organising this year’s Santubong Day after a hiatus of several years.
“This time, we involved the local community to host the event, as they are familiar with the rich artistic and cultural history behind the area of Santubong.
“Apart from that, we also put emphasis on youth participation in organising this event to attract make this event relevant for the younger generation,” she added.
Addressing the prospect of making the festival an annual event, she mentioned that it would depend on available funds.
“Maybe we will host this every two years first, then we will see, if we have fundings that allow us to host it annually, then we will do that,” she said.
Santubong Day, previously known as ‘Pesta Santubong’, was held again this year after almost 20 years of hiatus.
The three-day event, lasting from Oct 6 to 8, will feature an array of activities such as decorated fishing boat competition, singing competition, exhibition booths, food sales, sports competition, e-sports tournament and an original song competition.
The officiating ceremony earlier also saw Nancy presenting two Minor Rural Project-Sarawak Poor Home Improvement Project (MRP-PPRMS) to the Tanjong Datu and Pantai Damai constituencies.
Also present were Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts permanent secretary Datuk Sherrina Hussaini and chief assistant secretary Nasir Lariwoo; and Kuching District Officer cum Santubong’s Day organising chairman Sofhi Jebal.
