TUMPAT, KELANTAN, 3 MAY 2024: The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, will host the Malaysia Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit 2024: Wilayah Timur in Kuala Terengganu on 19 May 2024. This summit marks the final regional edition, paving the way for the Malaysia SDG Summit 2024 scheduled to take place in July 2024.

The SDG Summit 2024: Wilayah Timur will commence with the first prelude event themed “Conservation of Cultural Heritage” at Laman Warisan Kampung Laut, Kelantan, in collaboration with the Tumpat District Council and strategic partner, the Kelantan State Tourism Information Centre (TIC). This event is showcased as an awareness-raising programme based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) aimed at safeguarding the cultural and natural heritage of communities around the world, and SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) aimed at promoting beneficial and sustainable tourism.

Simultaneously, the programme aims to raise awareness and attract more visitors to the Kampung Laut Heritage Site, thereby enriching their understanding of the nation’s local culture to strengthen efforts to protect these national heritage assets. 

The redevelopment initiative of Kampung Laut into Kampung Warisan involves the construction of Laman Warisan Serunding and Laman Warisan Seni by ECERDC, as well as the relocation of the 400-year-old Kampung Laut Mosque from Nilam Puri to its original location in Kampung Laut. Laman Warisan Kampung Laut not only houses the historic Kampung Laut Mosque but also revitalises the uniqueness of local heritage, arts, and culture, providing a platform for locals to showcase their crafts such as traditional wau, batik, and Kelantanese dishes, especially serunding, which is intrinsic to Kampung Laut, and other local favourites like dodol and gelembung buaya.

“ECERDC remains committed to conserving and preserving the cultural and environmental heritage in the ECER region. The relocation of Kampung Laut Mosque to its original location and the establishment of Laman Warisan Serunding and Laman Warisan Seni have provided a special platform for craft entrepreneurs, serunding makers, and local delicacies to be showcased while creating new heritage landmarks in Kelantan,” said Cik Salida Azizi, General Manager of the Corporate Strategic Planning Division at ECERDC.

The prelude event also included sharing sessions regarding cultural diversity, social harmony, peace, security, and economic development through architecture, as well as workshops on wau-making and batik canting attended by 60 participants from the local community and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) students. An additional cultural highlight of the event was Dikir Barat’s performance at Laman Warisan Serunding.

The programme was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Mr. Ahmad Azimeer bin Abdul Manaf, Deputy Director of the National SDG Centre, Mr. Rusydee Bin Haji Abdullah, Tumpat District Officer, Mr. Mohd Aidul Afizie Daud, Director of the Kelantan State Tourism, Arts, and Culture Office, Mr. Shukri Mohd Isa, Director of the National Heritage Department for Eastern Zone, Mr. Mohd Azwan bin Ab Rahman, Secretary of the Tumpat District Council, Mr. Arizan Arifin, General Manager of the Project Implementation Division, ECERDC, as well as representatives from the Tumpat District Land Office, Kelantan State Economic Planning Unit, Nurul Hidayah Mosque, UMK, and Kelantan State Tourism Information Centre (TIC). 

Two more prelude events for the SDG Summit 2024: Wilayah Timur are set to be held at Tasik Chini, Pahang on 11 May 2024 and at KampungStay@Teluk Buih in Mersing, Johor on 12 May 2024 prior to the Summit in Terengganu.

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