PADAWAN: The Sarawak government has allocated RM6.5 million through the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) to upgrade Kampung Annah Rais as a Bidayuh Cultural Heritage Village, in an effort to strengthen community-based tourism in rural areas.

This was announced by Sarawak Deputy Minister of Transport (Aviation and Road) and Mambong Assemblyman, Datuk Dr. Jerip Susil, when officiating the PETRONAS Gawai 2025 Driving Life Programme in the village, on Saturday.

According to him, the initiative is part of the state's integrated development agenda involving the tourism, culture and agriculture sectors in rural areas.

"Kampung Annah Rais has unique historical, cultural and Bidayuh heritage values. Efforts to upgrade tourism facilities here will not only provide economic benefits to the local residents, but also enhance our cultural heritage to the outside world," he said.

The allocation will focus on upgrading basic tourism facilities such as visitor trails, handicraft spaces, cultural information centres, and community training in tourism management.

Kampung Annah Rais, located about 48 kilometres from Kuching, is famous for its traditional Bidayuh longhouses, hot springs, and unique customs still practiced by the residents.

At the same event, 200 underprivileged families from around Padawan Subdistrict received food basket donations in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak 2025 celebration, through a welfare programme organised by Yayasan PETRONAS in collaboration with the Kuching Division Resident Office and Padawan Subdistrict Office.

PETRONAS Sarawak General Manager, Norazibah Md Rabu, announced that 585 families across the state received the benefits of this programme this year.

Also present were the Kuching Division Resident, Dayang Joanita Azizah Abang Morshidi, Padawan Subdistrict Administrative Officer, Julius Scott Sapong and the Annah Rais Village Chief, Joda Mamung. - UKASnews