KUCHING: A total of 14 locations in Sarawak have been gazetted as heritage sites, strengthening the state government's efforts in protecting local historical and cultural assets.

Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that among the sites that have been gazetted include Rumah Melanau in Kampung Sok (Matu), Rumah Sri Tanjung in Tanjung Lobang (Miri), the Sacred Heart Church in Sungai Bawan (Kanowit), Makam Dato Permaisuri (Miri), and Pusara Ali Wallace in Kampung Jaie (Sadong Jaya).

Also listed are Kubur Shariff Skrang, Kampung Igan, the Kuching City Mosque site, Tapak Pertempuran Beting Maro, the Brooke Coal Mine (Simunjan), Batu Ritung Pa'lungan (Bario), Tapak Pertempuran Kampung Jakar in Biawak (Lundu), Tuang Schist Semebak, the Folded Schist (Demak) and the Japanese landing craft at Brighton Beach.

“There are still many more sites that have been identified and are being examined to see if they have heritage value and are worthy of being gazetted or not,” he said in a press conference after chairing the Sarawak Heritage Council 2025 Annual Meeting here, today.

According to Dato Sri Abdul Karim, the Sarawak Heritage Council's duties include advising the government on conservation measures and formulating a strategic direction in protecting the state's treasures.

Meanwhile, he also shared that the Borneo Cultures Museum recorded a total of 117,095 visitors from January to 16 June this year, bringing the total number of visitors since its opening in 2022 to 1,354,275 visitors.

Also present were Deputy Ministers for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew. -UKASnews