By WU VUIDE
TAWAU: The State Government has allocated RM13.66 million for this year to ensure Sabah’s cultural and arts heritage continues to be preserved, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“The State Government will continue to intensify efforts to improve the preservation of cultural heritage to further drive and strengthen the tourism industry in the state,” he said at the Tawau International Cultural Festival (FKAT).
Hajiji’s speech was read by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Arif.
Head of State Tun Musa Aman and his wife, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin officiated the event at the Tawau Municipal Council Square.
“I am confident that this festival will be one of those that brings significant impact to the tourism sector and the local economy.
“The influx of domestic and international tourists during this festival is not only an opportunity to appreciate our cultural treasures but also brings economic spillovers to all indirectly involved.
“They include entrepreneurs, homestay operators, artists, and small traders, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the local community.
“This festival also serves as the medium to educate the younger generation about the importance of protecting and valuing our priceless cultural heritage,” he said.
He said that the construction of the Tawau International Cultural Centre (TICC), scheduled for completion in December 2027, will undoubtedly become a cultural hub and a key stage for the convergence of various ethnicities’ arts and heritage once completed.
“This will, in turn, elevate Tawau as a competitive international cultural centre,” he said.
In line with the theme “Cultural Diversity: Warriors, Handicrafts, and Marriage,” the FKAT is a manifestation of the beauty and uniqueness of Sabah’s multiracial society, he said.
He said this festival is not only a space for cultural exhibition but it is also a platform for interaction between communities from various backgrounds, including participants from Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
“It further strengthens Tawau’s role as a border town rich in cultural networks and regional cooperation.
“Therefore, this festival serves as a platform to strengthen interracial unity, raise awareness of cultural diversity, and foster respect and appreciation for the heritage of our ancestors,” he said.
