SRI AMAN: The Sarawak Government continues to strengthen its heritage conservation agenda by proposing that Saint Paul's Anglican Church in Banting, Lingga be gazetted as a heritage site under the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 2019 to ensure that the state's historic treasures continue to be preserved for future generations.

Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said that the church built in 1859 has a great historical and heritage value, thus it should be given official recognition to ensure its continued conservation and protection.

According to him, gazetting the church under the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 2019 will protect the historical site from uncontrolled development, in addition to strengthening the cultural identity of the local community and enriching the state's heritage assets.

He said this while officiating the Pantu District Merarau Ngiling Tikai Gawai Dayak Ceremony at the Sri Aman Civic Centre, on Thursday.

The Balai Ringin Assemblyman added that the effort also opens up space for the local community to be directly involved in the conservation and preservation of heritage, thereby increasing community awareness of the importance of safeguarding historical treasures.

However, he explained that the process of gazetting can only continue after obtaining the approval of the Anglican Church, particularly the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Sarawak and Brunei.

At the same event, he also announced an allocation of RM20,000 to the Pantu District Office to support the organisation of social and cultural programs, while Sri Aman Member of Parliament, Doris Sophia Brodi through her representative presented a contribution of RM10,000.

Also present were Sri Aman Divisional Resident Mahra Salleh, Pantu District Officer Raca Mulong, Sri Aman District Police Chief Superintendent Dennis Bunyam, Sri Aman District Officer representative Joshua Martin Jantan and Lingga District Officer representative Nurshazani Fadli Salihin. -UKASnews