KUCHING – The Sarawak government has pledged to accelerate the reconstruction of a Bidayuh longhouse at the Sarawak Cultural Village, following its recent destruction by fire. The initiative aims to swiftly restore this important cultural landmark.
Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, announced he will personally seek cabinet approval for a special allocation to fund the rebuilding. The village is managed by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).
The minister conveyed his awareness of the incident during a press conference after inspecting the fire-damaged site last Saturday.
He expressed his commitment to ensuring the prompt repair and reconstruction of the affected structure.
A preliminary investigation suggests the blaze was caused by an electrical fault. Fortunately, the building’s underlying substructure was found to remain sound and suitable for rebuilding.
With Visit Malaysia Year scheduled for next year, the minister emphasised the urgency of the project. He stated that work would commence immediately, targeting completion in just over a year.
He confirmed that the Sarawak Cultural Village remains fully open to visitors, assuring both domestic and international tourists can continue to experience the iconic destination.
