No time frame for more heritage sites
Published on: Friday, September 08, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: No time frame has been set to seek World Heritage status for more sites in Sabah such as Maliau Basin (also known as the Lost World), Danum Valley and Imbak Canyon, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (pic)."The government has constantly evaluated the potential of other sites to be recognised," he told a press conference on Malaysia Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Day at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, Thursday."We plan to propose Danum Valley, Imbak Canyon and Maliau Basin for World Heritage Site status but first we have to comply with all the requirements and they are strict.
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"We are not in a hurry to pursue this…furthermore, the existing laws had recognised these sites as first class forest reserves," he said.As such, he said, at the moment it is sufficient for the sites to be protected under the law.Masidi also said, so far, there are no issues which could jeopardise the World Heritage Site status of Kinabalu Park."All heritage sites are under constant evaluation (by Unesco) and should there are any issue that affect the status, then we will be informed," he said.
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On the 7th Malaysia Unesco Day, Masidi said, Kundasang township will play host for the celebration this weekend (Sept. 9-10).The event aims to increase the visibility and role of the Malaysian National Commission for Unesco (SKUM) as well as strengthen cooperation between the commission and government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the public.
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SKUM consists of six permanent sub-committees which includes the Education Ministry, Higher Education Ministry, Communications and Multimedia Ministry, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry."Bringing Malaysia Unesco Day celebration to Sabah, particularly at Kundasang, Ranau, is timely and essential to ensure the public and local communities are well-informed of the government's serious effort to ensure the wellbeing of local communities through environmental conservation and its associated socio-cultural elements," Masidi said.He added that 10 years ago, the Federal and State Governments, through his Ministry and Sabah Parks, channelled more than RM52.3 million to ensure the natural environment and biodiversity of the State is safeguarded and simultaneously catalysed the enhancement of nature-based tourism development.Towards this end, he said, Unesco on December 2000 named Kinabalu Park as Malaysia's first World Heritage Site for its outstanding universal values and its role as one of the most important biological sites in the world.Masidi said, exhibition booths will also be opened during the two-day celebration to enable the public to get to know more about Malaysia's involvement and intiatives in Unesco.There will also be performances by local artists where Masidi said is also one of the ways to empower local musicians by providing a platform for them to showcase their talents.Among those who will be performing are Francis Landong, Asmin Mudin, Lydia Kalidin, Fabian William, Queennera Kitingan, Atmosfera, Kamarul Kowasin, Eiffel Paul Pailus, Ramin Masidin and Deep Buskers. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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