KUCHING: Heritage conservation must go beyond preserving physical structures and also involve communities as guardians of their heritage to ensure cultural values continue to be appreciated and passed down to future generations.

Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said community knowledge, participation and aspirations were crucial to ensuring that heritage remained relevant, particularly amid the challenges of rapid development, urbanisation and changing lifestyles.

He said longhouses were not merely reflections of traditional architecture but also living spaces where communities gathered, observed customs and passed down stories, values and knowledge from one generation to the next.

“The same applies to our traditional crafts, music, dances and oral traditions, which are not merely cultural expressions to be displayed. They are part of the daily lives of communities and reflect their history, identity and relationship with the environment.

“We recognise that efforts to protect heritage must go beyond physical conservation alone. They must also involve the communities who are the guardians of that heritage.

“Their knowledge, participation and aspirations are essential to ensuring that heritage remains relevant for future generations,” he said.

He was speaking through a speech delivered by Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan at the opening ceremony of the 22nd General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS GA2026) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday.

He added that Sarawak believed heritage conservation and development could go hand in hand through careful planning, meaningful community engagement and respect for cultural values.

Meanwhile, Dato Sri Abdul Karim said the hosting of ICOMOS GA2026 provided Sarawak with an opportunity to share its experience in managing its rich and diverse cultural heritage, while gaining knowledge and professional expertise from heritage specialists around the world.

He hoped that the exchange of views and collaboration throughout the assembly would contribute to fresh ideas, practical approaches and stronger international cooperation in addressing heritage conservation challenges.

“More importantly, I hope this assembly will remind us that heritage does not belong only to the past. It is something we live with today, and it is our shared responsibility to pass it on to future generations.

“There is no better way to appreciate Sarawak than to experience it for yourself,” he stressed.

Often described as the Olympics of cultural heritage, ICOMOS GA2026 has brought together 1,800 delegates from 110 countries for the general assembly, which runs from October 17 to 23.

Also present was Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operation) and Business Events Sarawak chairman Datu Hii Chang Kee. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Translator: Uilson Ng