Heritage zoning on the cards for old Kuching, new legislation to follow

Abdul Karim (centre) flanked by DBKU Mayor Dato Hilmy Othman (second left) and OKSHE advisor Datu Dr Sabariah Putit during a press conference after the Heritage Future: Voices of Old Kuching OKSHE-MTCP Public Initiative Programme at a hotel in Kuching on Sept 21, 2026.

By Christine T

KUCHING, Sept 21: The Sarawak government plans to introduce new legislation to protect and preserve old buildings, monuments and heritage sites, with heritage zoning in areas including Gambier Road, Main Bazaar and India Street in Kuching being considered.

Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the proposed laws would form part of the State’s efforts to ensure heritage assets are preserved for future generations as Kuching continues to develop and modernise.

“There will definitely be new legislations on this,” he told reporters during a press conference after the ‘Heritage Future: Voices of Old Kuching OKSHE-MTCP Public Initiative Programme’ at a hotel in Kuching today.

He said the legislation would be introduced alongside the zoning and identification of heritage buildings and sites that need to be conserved and preserved.

Abdul Karim said the areas being considered for heritage zoning contain several historic buildings and landmarks, including the Old Court House, Round Tower, Square Tower, India Mosque, St Joseph’s Cathedral and St Thomas’ Cathedral.

He said the government would also identify privately owned old shophouses and other heritage properties for preservation, noting that without proper protection, some could eventually be demolished or replaced by modern structures.

“We need all those legislation, all those laws, through the zoning that we are going to do. There will be legislation to be introduced for preservation and conservation of all these monuments and sites, including the shops,” he said.

Abdul Karim said the government would engage property owners before the legislation is introduced, adding that discussions would be held to explain the importance of preserving the heritage assets.

He said beautification and maintenance requirements could also be introduced once buildings are gazetted, to ensure they remain properly maintained.

Abdul Karim said the initiative would initially focus on Kuching, with the State government studying heritage conservation models in Penang and Melaka, both recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

He said the longer-term objective was for Kuching to seek UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition once its heritage zoning, conservation and preservation efforts were sufficiently developed.

He also said heritage protection would not be limited to buildings, noting that significant natural features could also be protected through gazettement.

Abdul Karim cited the old cotton tree at Padang Merdeka as an example, saying such heritage elements could be at risk of being removed without appropriate legal protection.

Meanwhile, he said the State government has many heritage assets to consider for gazettement across Sarawak and would determine the priority based on each asset. – DayakDaily