Rep wants Marudi’s ethnic heritage showcased in China through cultural exchange

Penguang (centre) during the closing ceremony of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop in Baram on July 5, 2026. Source: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 6: A proposal has been put forward to bring Marudi’s ethnic cultural exchange programme to China, aiming to showcase the district’s rich cultural heritage to an international audience.

According to Marudi assemblyman Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, he said that the diverse cultures and unique traditions in his constituency give it a distinct advantage, making it an ideal platform for international cultural exchanges.

“The proposal involves collaboration with organisers such as the Sarawak Chinese Entrepreneurs Association and the Miri Artists Association, by bringing leaders of various associations and representatives of different ethnic groups to Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China,” he said.

He said this at the closing ceremony of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop, organised by the Sarawak Chinese Entrepreneurs Association and the Miri Artists Association at Dewan Suarah Marudi in Baram on Sunday (July 5), as reported by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

Commenting about the workshop being held in Marudi, Dr Penguang, who is also the Sarawak Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, stressed its significance in preserving the area’s cultural identity from disappearing amid rapid modernisation.

The four-day programme involved about 500 students from five schools, who were introduced to traditional handicraft skills such as making bamboo umbrellas and traditional weighing scales.

Adding to the programme’s appeal, five teachers from Hangzhou, China, were specially invited to guide participants in the handicraft activities, making it an effective platform for cross-cultural learning while encouraging participation among students from various ethnic backgrounds. — DayakDaily