Old Kuching Heritage
Old Kuching Heritage Keeping Kuching’s heritage alive
While the rest of Cat City continues to move forward with the times, efforts are being taken at the same time to preserve Old Kuching and what treasures it holds. A visionary project that aims to transform Old Kuching into a World Tourism Heritage Site, the Old Kuching Heritage initiative, initiated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg, encompasses the city’s monuments, Malay villages, riverfront and businesses. The Old Kuching Heritage initiative is a collaborative effort between the local authorities, private sectors and business industries, Sarawak State agencies, institutions of higher learning, training centres, nonGovernmental organisations, media fraternities
Old shophouses on Gambier Street 30 | BorneoTalkJan-Mar2019
Old Court House overlooking Sarawak River with DUN Building in the background
as well as local communities coordinated by Old Kuching Heritage Secretariat in the Chief Minister’s Department. There are six strategic thrusts put into place to accomplish this noble mission and its objectives, namely to preserve and conserve historical infrastructure, to establish smart infrastructure, to improve the socio-economy of the local community, to encourage the community to embrace technology, to manifest Old Kuching and to promote local cultures, arts and sports. These thrusts are grouped under four “Heritages” namely Monuments Heritage, Kampung Heritage, Riverfront Heritage and Business Heritage. The objectives of the Old Kuching Heritage include heritage preservation and conservation, whereby the safeguarding of historical infrastructure is done through digital advancements. The initiative also aims to establish smart infrastructure through the use of IT and cutting-edge technology, thus helping to create a smart community where everyone gets involved and embraces technology. Under the initiative, local cultures, arts and sports will also be promoted. Overall, these will help to boost the socio-economy of the local community.
