Kpg Annah Rais to be transformed into Bidayuh cultural heritage village after RM6.5 mln allocation
PADAWAN (June 30): Kampung Annah Rais is set to be transformed into a Bidayuh cultural heritage village following a RM6.5 million allocation by the Sarawak government through the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA).
According to Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, the funds would be used to improve basic tourism infrastructure, including visitor trails, handicraft spaces, cultural information centres and community training in tourism management.
The Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister added this initiative was part of the state's broader rural development strategy focusing on tourism, culture and agriculture.
'Kampung Annah Rais has unique historical, cultural and Bidayuh heritage values. Efforts to upgrade tourism facilities here would not only bring economic benefits to the local community but also help promote our cultural heritage to the outside world,' he said at the Petronas Gawai 2025 Driving Life Programme held at the village on Saturday, according to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report.
Located approximately 48 kilometres from Kuching, Kampung Annah Rais is renowned for its traditional Bidayuh longhouses, hot springs, and the continued practice of unique cultural customs.
At the same event, 200 underprivileged families from across the Padawan Subdistrict received food basket donations in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak 2025 celebration.
The welfare programme was organised by Yayasan Petronas in collaboration with the Kuching Division Resident Office and the Padawan Subdistrict Office.
Petronas Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu said a total of 585 families statewide have benefited from the programme this year.
Also present were Kuching Division Resident Dayang Joanita Azizah Abang Morshidi, Padawan Subdistrict administrative officer Julius Scott Sapong and Annah Rais village chief Joda Mamung.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
6 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Bintulu to host state-level 2025 Malaysia Day celebration spotlighting Sarawak's growth
Dr Rundi (second left) presents an official invitation letter to Abang Johari to officiate the state-level Malaysia Day celebration. Also in the photo are Nyurak (first right) and Hamdan (first left). – Ukas photo KUCHING (Aug 20): The 2025 state-level Malaysia Day celebration in Bintulu will highlight Sarawak's progress and achievements since joining Malaysia, with special emphasis on Bintulu's emergence as a key industrial cluster. Organising chairman Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom announced that the celebration will kick off on Sept 14 with an interfaith thanksgiving service organised by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), followed by a thanksgiving event at Masjid Assyakirin on Sept 15. On the morning of Sept 16, a Malaysia Day Run will be held ahead of the main celebration, which will take place at the Old Bintulu Airport, where over 10,000 people are expected to attend. Dr Rundi, who is Kemena assemblyman and State Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, revealed that the event will be themed 'Sarawak Maju Makmur Dalam Malaysia' (Sarawak Progresses and Prospers in Malaysia). 'This celebration will be a platform to showcase Sarawak's development – its past, present and future,' he said in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report. He added that Bintulu will be given special attention as an emerging industrial hub, recognised by the World Economic Forum. 'The celebration will also showcase development in housing and industrial zones, particularly Samalaju and the newly planned Jepak Jaya township, aimed at reducing congestion in Bintulu town,' he told reporters after a courtesy call on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here today. Dr Rundi confirmed that Abang Johari has agreed to the event programme, with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar scheduled to attend as guest of honour, alongside other state leaders. 'We are now giving the final touches to the programme. A special video presentation has been prepared to highlight Sarawak's growth, especially in Bintulu and other towns. 'Through this, we want to show how Sarawak has benefitted since becoming part of Malaysia – hence, the theme for this year's celebration,' he said. Also present at the media briefing were Bintulu Resident Datu Nyurak Keti, and State Protocol, Ceremony and Event Management Unit director Datu Hamdan Sharbini. Bintulu Dr Stephen Rundi Utom malaysia day
Borneo Post
6 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Washington DC's International Data Centre Authority to back Sarawak's digital economy drive
Abang Johari (left), Shahriman (second right) and the IDCA delegation during the courtesy call at Satria Pertiwi Complex today. – Ukas photo KUCHING (Aug 20): The Washington DC-based International Data Centre Authority (IDCA) has pledged support to Sarawak to provide expertise in building a sustainable and resilient digital economy ecosystem. IDCA Asean head Md Shahriman M Sidek, who paid a courtesy call to the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex today, said the authority offers policy advisory services to governments and corporations. 'To ensure the growth of the digital economy, it requires robust infrastructure such as telecommunications towers, data centres, and international connectivity through fibre optic and submarine cables,' said Md Shahriman, according to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report. During the courtesy call, Abang Johari stressed that Sarawak must not only develop digital hubs and data centres but also secure a global network to future-proof its infrastructure. He said IDCA's expertise would help guide the state's expansion plans, especially in data centres. Talks also touched on Sarawak's push for data hub development, energy supply, and sustainability. Also present were State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication permanent secretary Datu Jafri Lias, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng, and IDCA special project director Johnson Yu Weng Lok. Abang Johari digital economy International Data Centre Authority lead
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak proposes setting up clubhouse for media practitioners
Abdullah (seated centre) is seen in a group photo at the appreciation ceremony. – Ukas photo KUCHING (Aug 15): A media clubhouse could be established in Sarawak to serve as a dedicated meeting and interaction space for media practitioners. Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said the facility would provide a venue for members of the media to gather and take a break from the demands of daily work. 'At this media clubhouse, it is a place for media practitioners to gather, relax, share ideas, and exchange notes, where there is a leisure area, a small café, a pool table, darts, and other facilities for socialising. 'There is also a bathroom for use after work, especially for those who need to go to another location during the day. This place also provides an opportunity to meet friends, exchange views, and strengthen relationships among media practitioners, and I think this is a good idea,' he said during the Organising Committee Appreciation Ceremony in conjunction with National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 and the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 here last night. He said there are also plans to develop a recreational area near the media clubhouse. 'Maybe we can find sources other than government funds, for example, receiving sponsorship from several GLCs (government-linked companies) to maintain this facility. We can also consider providing additional space such as a pickleball court or a small field for light sports activities. 'In addition, maybe a mini gym can be provided with facilities such as a treadmill for exercise. This is one of the new ideas that I strongly support,' he added. Abdullah Saidol lead media clubhouse
