KUCHING: The Melanau community and organisations are urged to leverage digital platforms to enhance communication, share information, and strengthen participation in cultural activities across Sarawak.
Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Deputy Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the initiative will help mobilise the community, activating Melanau activities, and increase awareness of local programmes and events.
“The Melanau people are scattered across different areas, and many are unaware of the programmes and activities organised by the association.
“For this reason, I have discussed with Kuching Melanau Association (PMK) president Faridah Osman on ways to expand the association’s outreach so that we can provide up-to-date information on activities and gather constructive suggestions on how to further enhance its initiatives,” he said this in his speech during the Ramadan iftar gathering held at Wisma Melanau yesterday evening (Mar 15).
“We have many ways such as TikTok, WhatsApp, TV Sarawak (TVS), the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) and more so let’s use these channels to share information and to mobilise the Melanau community in Kuching,” he added.
He also noted that the Sarawak Melanau Community Welfare Trust Board (LAKKMS) has recently undergone reorganisation to strengthen its business activities and generate more revenue, enabling it to provide financial support to associations across the state.
Apart from that, Len pointed out the importance of infrastructure development under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which prioritises infrastructure development, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.
“These elements are key to strengthening connectivity among Melanau communities in Sarawak. Under the Sarawak PCDS 2030 plan, the government is emphasising infrastructure development to improve connectivity so that distances between regions in Sarawak can be shortened.
“This means that interaction, especially among the coastal Melanau people, will become easier and closer.
“With improved interaction, especially among the coastal Melanau, communication may become more unified, allowing for better understanding across different Melanau dialects,” he added.
