RM50,000 grant to support Bisaya association’s activities

KUCHING: A total of RM50,000 under the Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant has been allocated to Persatuan Bisaya Sarawak Cawangan Bandar Kuching (PBSCBK) to support its activities over the coming year.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the contribution would enable the association to organise more activities for the Bisaya community.

“I would like to announce a contribution of RM50,000 to the Persatuan Bisaya Sarawak Bandar Kuching Branch. I hope that with this contribution, the association will be able to organise more activities over the coming year,” he said when officiating at the Majlis Badudun Badapun 2026 (Bisaya Cultural Night) at the UNIFOR Complex here on Saturday (Sept. 19).

Abdul Karim was representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the event.

In his text speech read by Abdul Karim, Abang Johari described the Bisaya community as having significant potential to contribute further to Sarawak’s development, noting that its members had achieved success in areas including the public service, professional fields, business and the private sector.

Abang Johari said the spirit of “saganao”, which embodies togetherness and unity, should continue to be preserved as a strength of the Bisaya community.

He said the government is committed to ensuring that opportunities in education, the economy, entrepreneurship and development remained open to all Sarawakians, including the Bisaya community.

Abang Johari also encouraged eligible Bisaya youths to take advantage of the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), which provides opportunities for Sarawak students to pursue higher education without financial constraints becoming a barrier.

He also encouraged Bisaya entrepreneurs and youths to utilise financing, training, marketing and entrepreneurship development programmes provided by the government and its agencies.

Abang Johari said culture should also be viewed as an economic asset, with Bisaya traditions, music, dance, food, language and handicrafts having potential to contribute to tourism and the creative industry.

He urged the younger generation to use social media, digital technology and creativity to introduce Bisaya culture to a wider audience while preserving its original values and identity.

He also expressed hope that Majlis Badudun Badapun would continue as an annual event with more diverse and engaging programmes, serving not only as a platform to celebrate Bisaya culture but also to showcase the talents and entrepreneurs of the community and strengthen ties between generations.

Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said the Bisaya community, particularly those in northern Sarawak, had an important role to play in preserving and promoting the state’s diverse cultural heritage.

“As culture and heritage come under my ministry, I have instructed the Sarawak Arts Council to pay attention to and document every ethnic group in Sarawak,” he said.

He said Sarawak has 34 ethnic groups, and their respective dances, cultural practices and heritage should be documented and given greater exposure.

According to Abdul Karim, cultural performances at major events often feature dances associated with communities such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and Orang Ulu, while other ethnic groups should also be given opportunities to showcase their heritage.

He said this included the Bisaya, Lun Bawang, Kedayan and other communities, adding that greater efforts were needed to ensure their cultural practices and arts were preserved for future generations.

“If this is not done, over time their culture and arts could disappear,” he said, adding that cultural performances should be brought to major events in northern areas such as Miri and Limbang, as well as Kuching and other major cities.

Abdul Karim also highlighted the role of the Borneo Cultures Museum in showcasing the cultures and heritage of Sarawak’s diverse ethnic groups.

He said the museum, which comes under his ministry, is intended to ensure that even smaller ethnic communities had a place to showcase their heritage to visitors to Sarawak.

“We want all ethnic groups in Sarawak to feel that Sarawak belongs to them. Whether you are 10,000 or 50,000 in number, Sarawak belongs to all of us,” he said.