Unesco status not mere badge: Liew
Published on: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Published on: Sat, May 24, 2025
By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Liew (fifth left) joins others in cutting a Mt Kinabalu-shaped cake to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Declaration of Kinabalu Geopark as a Unesco Global Geopark. Kota Kinabalu: Unesco Global Geopark status should be viewed as a responsibility rather than a symbolic accolade, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew. She underscored the need for stronger cooperation across all levels of government and civil society to maintain and grow Malaysia's geopark credentials. 'Let us not treat Unesco recognition as a mere badge of honour. It comes with responsibility to protect, educate and uplift,' she said at the opening of the Malaysia Geopark Network Conference 2025 on Thursday, Malaysia currently has two Unesco Global Geoparks - Langkawi (recognised in 2007) and Kinabalu Geopark in Sabah (recognised in 2023). Kinabalu Geopark is now celebrating its second anniversary as part of the Unesco network, said Liew, and affirmed Sabah's commitment to sustainable environmental leadership. Liew emphasised that geoparks are not simply tourist attractions, but critical sites for environmental education, community empowerment and heritage preservation.
Advertisement 'They are spaces where we preserve history, empower communities and prove that conservation and economic development can progress side by side,' she said. Despite progress, she warned of ongoing challenges, including funding constraints, lack of skilled personnel, low public awareness of geoheritage and insufficient coordination between agencies. The conference brings together stakeholders from across the country, including government agencies, academics, NGOs and local leaders, to share insights and develop strategies for more resilient and inclusive geopark management. Liew also called for greater involvement from the private sector, urging responsible investments in ethical geo-tourism and asking local communities to actively champion the preservation of their natural heritage. Jointly organised by Sabah Parks and the Malaysia Geopark Network, the conference is expected to shape future national policies and deepen Malaysia's role in global geoconservation efforts. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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Borneo Post
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Edric is one of many responsible for making Sarawak better known throughout the world. AMONG some Sarawakians, past and present, who have been responsible for making Sarawak better known throughout the world is Edric Ong, a scion of one of the state's established families. He himself is a fifth generation Ong, whose forefathers had served and been honoured from the time of the Brookes. Born in Kuching on April 12, 1953, Edric was educated at St Thomas' School, and spent his first year undergoing studies for an agricultural subject at Serdang College before opting for a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture at University of Singapore where he graduated in 1977. After the compulsory state-government stint at the Public Works Department (JKR), he joined the Malaysian Associate Architects for a period and undertook many projects with them. He set up his own architectural practice, under Edric Ong Architect, but in 1986, decided to devote full time to his passion for the arts, fashion design and the promotion of Sarawak's heritage cultural arts especially in the field of textiles, specialising in the Iban' Pua Kumbu textile and founded the Society Atelier Sarawak in 1993. It is nigh impossible to detail out Edric's achievements; when I had asked for it for my research for this column, I was given a list that had filled 16 A4 pages! So where to begin? Edric founded Eon Company in 1983; pre-empting Malaysia's national car distributor EON by a year. But then, his was a partnership whereas EON was a 'berhad' (public limited) company. He still uses that name today. Besides being the president of Society Atelier Sarawak, Edric has held various other prominent positions in national and international organisations: World Crafts Council (Asia Pacific) as advisor past senior vice-president; Asean Handicraft AHPADA as president; World Eco-Fibre and Textile (WEFT) Forum as executive director; Crafts Council of Malaysia as exco member since 1998; World Batik Council as exco member since 2007; Unesco-AHPADA Seal of Excellence Handicrafts, founder and jury member; Unesco Specialist/Expert on Crafts, Textiles and Architectural Conservation, founding member; Asean-Japan Design Council, as exco member, and; Unesco Paris and Unesco-Asia Pacific, as consultant. Edric (seventh left) representing Malaysia at the World Crafts Council-Asia Pacific Board, in this photo taken at Galeri Petronas Kuala Lumpur in 2015. Edric is also a renowned fashion designer with a long list of highly-acclaimed fashion shows held all over the world—from Kuala Lumpur to India, Italy, Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, England, France and USA. He has also curated, exhibited, organised and lectured throughout the world on subjects that the Unesco has deemed him to be an 'expert and specialist' in—from woven textiles to natural dyes, from eco-tourism resorts to ethnic handicrafts. Edric has also authored and published four books: 'Sarawak Style' with photography by Luca Invernizzi (re-titled 'Living in Sarawak' for the USA edition) in 1996, with two reprints; 'Woven Dreams' – Ikat Textiles of Sarawak (2000); 'Pua – Iban Weavings of Sarawak' (1986); and 'Malay Houses of Kuching, Sarawak' (1983). Besides these, he has contributed features and articles of arts, culture and architecture to other publications, specifically 'Encyclopaedia Malaysia', 'Encyclopaedia on Dress and Costume' (UK), and 'The Guide to Sarawak' (2012). Photo shows the cover of Edric's book, 'Sarawak Style', published in 1996. Among his other passions and pet projects have been the conservation of historical buildings and a number of significant cultural projects for government agencies. These had numbered 10, and included the following: Conversion of the 1929 'Sarawak Steamship Godown' into Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Information Centre; Conversion of Madrasah Melayu (1930), to Sarawak Islamic Museum in 1992; Conversion of the 1880 Fort Sylvia in Kapit into the Tun Jugah Museum in 1997; Conversion of the St James Church, Quop (oldest in Sarawak, built in 1863); Conversion of the Lord Bishop's House, Kuching, built in 1839; Consultant to the Sarawak Cultural Village at Damai in Santubong (since 1986); The Textile Museum, converted from the 'Pavilion' (1907); Consultant – Heritage Park, Putrajaya (2003); Consultant – 'Nilam Puri, A Malay Cultural Experience', Kuala Lumpur (2004), and; Research on natural dyes for batik and crafts – Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia. Photo shows the tall house, designed by Edric for the Sarawak Cultural Village, his 'pet project' since 1986. — Photo courtesy of STB Although he has been actively involved in all these projects and they have formed the major part of his life since 1983, Edric has also devoted most of his personal time and endeavours pursuing a highly spiritual goal as well. Born into a very staunch and highly respected Buddhist family, his forefathers had been the custodians of many Chinese temples in Kuching for four generations. In the early 1980s, Edric's elder sister Edrea became a 'born again' Christian, followed by his parents, Ong Kee Bian and wife Tan Lee Kheng. Edric himself converted to Anglican in the mid-1980s and by 1996, he was elected the inaugural president of the Anglican Diocesan Youth Council in the Diocese of Sarawak and Brunei, a position that he held till 2001. He continued to be fully involved in the youths, then the provincial synods and today, is still an active lay reader at St Faith's Church where he delivers regular sermons. His faith has taken him to places like Ba Kelalan, Buduk Aru and other remote reaches to preach the gospel of Christ. In recognition of his many achievements and works in both Sarawak as well as on the national and international fronts, Edric has been honoured by the following awards: Pegawai Bintang Sarawak (Officer of the Star of Sarawak); Australia Culture Award; Medal of Honour, World Craft Council 2024; Aid to Artisans Advocate Award 2006; Seal of Excellence for Craft Products (Unesco) 2001-2024; Japanese G-Mark for Good Design Award in Lifestyle/Home Accessories; London Fashion Week Award – 2022, 2023 and 2024; Aspara Fashion Week Award 2024; Malaysian Designer of the Year Award 2009; STYLO Kuala Lumpur Fashion Fest Heritage Award 2008; Mercedes Benz/Stylo Asean Fashion Award – Global Fashion Influencer 2016, and; Malaysian National Non-Governmental Organisation Award 2007. Costumes and authentic local ethnic fashion designed by Edric were also commissioned and used in three international feature films shot in Sarawak: 'Farewell to the King' in 1987 with Nick Nolte in the leading man; 'The Sleeping Dictionary' in 2000 with Jessica Alba as the leading lady; and 'The Intended' in 2012 with Janet McTeer. (From right) Alba, with fellow cast members Michael Langgi and Bob Hoskins in a scene of the 2000 Hollywood feature, 'The Sleeping Dictionary'. Alba's costumes were designed by Edric. His many travels to promote Sarawak in all his projects, be they in exhibitions, curated shows, fashion extravaganzas, or in the field of local arts, crafts and culture, had brought him to the attention of many famous public figures in politics, arts and the entertainment industry. In recent times, he met with and befriended famous actress Ali MacGraw (of 'Love Story' fame) during two of his tours at the Sante Fe Folk Arts Festival in New Mexico, USA. Edric, seen here with MacGraw at the Sante Fe Folk Arts Festival in New Mexico in 2019. Recently in Paris for the 'Revelations Biennale Paris 2025', he had met with and spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. When asked about his 'personal best and proudest project', Edric did not hesitate to reply that it was the Sarawak Cultural Village at Damai in Santubong. 'Designing the masterplan, main buildings and individual ethnic community houses that involved travelling to the interior parts of Sarawak to research Iban, Orang Ulu longhouses, Bidayuh round-house and reviving the Melanau 'Rumah Tinggi'. 'I am proud of the Damai Hilltop suites as well, as it was a contemporary adaptation of Sarawak architecture, the round 'Baruk' suites, the Malay suites and the longhouse 'biliks'.' On those who had inspired and mentored him through the years, he continued: 'There are many, including the late Datuk Lucas Chin, the late YM Raja Fuziah Raja Tun Uda, the late Dr Clare Brett Smith (Aid to Artisans USA), Imai Toshihiro of Japan and Jasleen Dhamija of India. 'The person I owed most to was my father, Ong Kee Bian, a good and faithful servant of the Lord, loving husband and father. 'He had nurtured my interest in flora and fauna, encouraged my endeavours into art like woodblock print, clay sculpture, embroidery and ikebana. 'He took me into the interiors of Sarawak—into the Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses and others.' During his leisure down-time, Edric can be seen around town, in other fellow artists' homes and studios, or wandering the less-trodden paths upcountry or into more remote areas, in search for the expert artisan or craftsman who could well be the last surviving person who is still practising his 'dying' art. 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Borneo Post
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New tourism projects to ease Semporna congestion
Christina receives a memento from Zhao Jun (third from left). KOTA KINABALU (June 6): The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry has proposed two major projects aimed at retaining tourists in Tawau. Its minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, said one of the projects is the Tawau Tourism Jetty which will allow ferries to transport tourists between Tawau and Semporna on a fixed schedule. This initiative aims to encourage tourists to stay overnight in Tawau while easing congestion in Semporna. Christina noted that Semporna, a favorite destination among Chinese tourists, is facing congestion due to its popularity for diving. The long travel distance from Tawau Airport to Semporna has also led to traffic accidents. The other project is the development of Tawau Hill Park which will see the construction of chalets, guided tours and a Pangolin Research Centre to attract eco-tourists and provide overnight options in Tawau. The project is expected to begin by year-end. The Floating Club House at Gaya Island. In addition, Christina said Sandakan will also be promoted, with funding allocated for wildlife sanctuaries such as the elephant sanctuary to ensure balanced tourism development. 'Sandakan's wildlife attractions cater to a different segment of tourists, so facility upgrades are necessary,' she said at the launch of the Floating Club House at Gaya Island today. Christina disclosed that Sabah has recorded 1.18 million visitor arrivals from January to April this year, marking a 17.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. 'We are optimistic that tourist arrivals will continue to grow in the coming quarters, especially with improvements in transportation, logistics, food and entertainment,' she said. Christina expressed confidence that the Sabah Tourism Board's 2025 target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals is achievable. She highlighted that tourists from China, South Korea, and even France are among those contributing to the growth, with tourism operators investing heavily in new facilities to accommodate the expected increase — particularly from China. Earlier in her speech, Christina described the launch of the Floating Club House at Gaya Island as a milestone in Sabah's tourism evolution. 'This represents strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to elevate high-value tourism in Sabah,' she said. She praised Lazy Cat International Travel Service Co. Ltd. for their substantial investment in Sabah's tourism sector, including luxury yacht services, cultural tourism ventures, and marine transportation enhancements via their local subsidiary, Cheetah Transportation Sdn Bhd. The Floating Club House, uniquely constructed atop the sea, offers sustainable luxury with facilities for dining, leisure, and scenic appreciation — setting a new benchmark for marine-based tourism experiences in the state. Also present at the launch were Malaysian Tourism Federation President Datuk Tan Kok Liang, Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd Chairman Ken Pan Ying On, CEO Thonny Chee, Cheetah Transportation Sdn Bhd Director Eric Yong, and Lazy Cat Chairman Zhao Jun.
