MIRI: The opening of the RM37 million Orang Ulu Cultural Centre symbolises the Orang Ulu community's commitment to keeping pace with modernisation without neglecting their identity, culture and traditional heritage.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the cultural centre is not merely a gathering place for the community, but also represents the Orang Ulu community's readiness to embrace change in order to improve their standard of living.

"This building reflects that we are together in changing our way of life without compromising our culture, and in moving forward to raise our standard of living.

"This house is a symbol that the Orang Ulu will always be together in the changes taking place in our state," he said.

He said this in his speech at the Official Opening Ceremony of the Orang Ulu Cultural Centre of the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak Malaysia (FORUM) on Saturday.

According to him, community development must keep pace with current changes through new approaches that can improve well-being, while ensuring that cultural values and heritage continue to be preserved for future generations.

The cultural centre, built on a five-acre site, received an initial allocation of RM25 million, followed by an additional RM7 million in 2023 and RM5 million in December 2024, bringing the total development cost to RM37 million.

The complex is equipped with various facilities, including a multipurpose hall, administrative offices, a resource centre, seminar rooms, an Orang Ulu cultural gallery, open spaces and landscaped gardens, as well as 416 parking bays.

Also present were Sarawak Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) and FORUM Adviser Datuk Gerawat Gala, FORUM Deputy President Dato Dennis Ngau, and Bintulu Resident and FORUM President Datu Nyurak Keti. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Grace John Lee
Photos: Ameerul Syafiq Khir
Translator: Uilson Ng