TENOM: The Government has approved RM2 million upgrading works for the Sabah Murut  Cultural Centre to further optimise the district’s tourism attractions especially its tourism  products. 

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the upgrading works involved three  main components – the construction of a Tree House, grave replica and House of Skulls. 

“The project will add more tourist attractions at the Sabah Murut Cultural Centre and further  represent the Murut community’s tradition and culture,” he said when launching the Kalimaran  Festival at the Sabah Murut Cultural Centre here today. 

He said the State Government view the importance of various ethnic culture and arts-based  celebrations such as the Kalimaran Festival. 

“It will go a long way to assist in the promotion, preservation and uplifting of the culture and arts  of the various ethnics in Sabah,” he said. 

Hajiji said the Kalimaran Festival has further potential to become a celebration to showcase the  richness and uniqueness of the Murut community’s culture, arts and tradition to the whole  country and beyond.  

“While Sabah is already well known as an eco-tourism destination, cultural tourism must also be  given priority.  

“The diversity and uniqueness of the tradition, as well as cultural arts of the 35 ethnic and 217  sub-ethnic groups in Sabah is a strength that can be capitalised on in our culture tourism,” he  said. 

To this end,the State Government has underlined seven priorities – digitalisation of the cultural  arts or eCulture; integrated culture tourism; culture preservation; strengthening ethnic relations;  research and documenting culture; cultural arts propagation; and culture intellectual property  protection, he said. 

These priorities were in line with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya initiative under the purview of  the Sabah Cultural Board which will allow cultural posterity. 

Also present were Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Elron Angin Alfred, State Secretary Datuk  Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong, main organising chairman/Kemabong Assemblyman Datuk  Rubin Balang, assistant ministers, elected representatives and local community leaders. 

Ends