KUCHING: A new Sarawak Craft Centre will boost the development and promotion of traditional crafts once it is completed in two years, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said a 0.8ha site near the Borneo Cultures Museum here had been approved for the centre, with construction expected to start next year.
He said the building would house the headquarters of the Sarawak Craft Council, besides providing space for craft exhibitions and sales.
“Crafts are closely associated with Sarawak because we have many ethnic groups with their own craftwork.
“For example, the Malays have keringkam and songket, the Iban have pua kumbu and the Orang Ulu are known for their basketry and beadwork,” he told reporters after opening the World Eco-Fibre and Textile (WEFT) Forum here on Friday (Nov 14).
Abdul Karim said the craft centre’s design was already completed and preliminary works were underway.
“My hope is that it can be built quickly to meet demand because our tourism industry has been doing well.
“It will be in a strategic location whereby visitors to the Borneo Cultures Museum can go next door to the craft centre once it is ready, hopefully by 2027,” he said.
Abdul Karim also said the gastronomy centre at Padungan here was scheduled to be completed next year.
“It will be a place to showcase our ethnic cuisine, in line with Kuching’s designation as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy,” he said.
Organised by the Sarawak Craft Council and Society Atelier Sarawak, the 12th biennial WEFT Forum brought together delegates from 20 countries to discuss the natural fibre and textile heritage of Sarawak, Asean and the Asia Pacific region.
Abdul Karim pledged the ministry’s support to make the next WEFT Forum a bigger event.
“We are here to back you up; don’t work in silos,” he said.
