Sarawak to pursue Buriek Kapit, Baju Gagong Batang Rajang as unique heritage products

Snowdan (second right) engaging with artisans and craftsmen at the sideline of MTCP-SCICC meeting on June 30, 2026.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 30: Following the successful documentation of Baju Kuas Iban Balau Sri Aman, proposals for Buriek Kapit and Baju Gagong Batang Rajang will be pursued in the coming months to safeguard Sarawak’s unique heritage products while enhancing their market value and authenticity.

The initiative was highlighted during the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak’s convening of the Sarawak Creative Industry Coordination Committee (SCICC) first meeting of 2026 today, bringing together government agencies, industry practitioners, academia and creative stakeholders to chart the sector’s future direction.

Chairing the meeting, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan underscored the growing importance of the creative industry as a key economic sector that generates employment, drives innovation, strengthens cultural identity and contributes to tourism and community development.

He said Sarawak’s rich cultural diversity and living heritage place it in a strong position to develop a vibrant and sustainable creative economy.

“The establishment of SCICC reflects the Sarawak government’s commitment to stronger collaboration between government, industry, academia and communities.

“No single agency or organisation can develop the creative industry alone. Through SCICC, we will strengthen consultation, coordination and collaboration to transform creativity into enterprise, culture into economic value and heritage into sustainable development,” he said in a media release.

The SCICC serves as a strategic advisory platform to provide recommendations on the development and promotion of Sarawak’s creative industry.

It is supported by four specialised task groups focusing on Creative Arts; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Media Production and Information Technology; and Design, which will advise on talent development, market access, innovation, commercialisation, digital transformation and emerging opportunities.

During the meeting, the Ministry also outlined its strategy to strengthen the creative ecosystem by integrating capacity building with market access.

Through the Heritage, Arts and Culture Facilitation Fund, support continues for programmes such as traditional craft workshops, performing arts training, culinary workshops, heritage documentation, exhibitions and publications aimed at strengthening the capabilities of artists, artisans and cultural practitioners.

This is complemented by the Ministry’s Event Grant, which supports festivals and events that provide platforms for creative entrepreneurs, artisans, performers and food producers to showcase and commercialise their products.

Initiatives such as the Nyamai Sarawak Gastronomy Festival and the Tapas International Asia Culinary Competition were cited as examples that have helped promote Sarawak’s culinary heritage while creating business networking opportunities and generating income for local entrepreneurs.

The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Sarawak’s creative assets through Intellectual Property (IP) protection and Geographical Indications (GI).

To date, 41 Sarawak Signature Events have been registered under copyright protection, while ongoing GI initiatives aim to further protect and add value to heritage-based products.

The meeting concluded with constructive discussions among committee members on strengthening talent development, entrepreneurship, commercialisation, innovation and cross-sector collaboration to further advance Sarawak’s creative industry ecosystem. — DayakDaily